UPDATE Friday, 5pm
After more than 600 days of waiting, Tom Williamson will make his return to the AFL this weekend.
Williamson was named in Carlton's team to take on North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.
The former Ararat Rat has battled with back issues since his last AFL match in round 23, 2017 but after two weeks in the VFL is fit and firing.
He is among four changes to Carlton's team for this weekend's game.
Earlier
Ararat Rats product Tom Williamson is on the verge of making his AFL comeback this weekend.
The 20-year-old has been named on Carlton's extended bench to take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Williamson failed to play a senior game with the Blues in 2018, suffering from ongoing back issues that arose during the 2018 preseason.
RELATED: Williamson on road to recovery
His last AFL game came back in round 23, 2017 against Sydney. He played 15 AFL games in his debut season.
Williamson recently made his return to the football field after more than 8 months since his last match, playing for Carlton's VFL affiliate side Northern Blues.
He has played in the VFL for the last two weeks.
Injuries to Kade SImpson and Nic Newman have opened the door for Williamson to make his long-awaited return to senior football.
After his first VFL game he said he would relish the chance to return to the senior team.
"I am more than happy to take that step up to the ones," he said.
The final squad will be confirmed at 5pm on Friday.
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