A FINAL decision on whether James Kelly lines up against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Friday night will be left up to him.

Kelly has missed the past two matches after suffering a ruptured testicle against Richmond in round five.

But he took part in Geelong's training session on Tuesday and is very much in the mix to take on the Blues.

"We're quite pleased with his progress," Cats physio Mark Young said on the round eight episode of nib Medical Room.

"It was a little bit of an unknown, his injury, and how well he'd progress, but he's trained solidly this week.

"Ultimately, it will be his decision, and we'll make that call later in the week. But so far so good."

nib Medical Room also features Young's thoughts on:

* Tom Hawkins (glute), who was a late withdrawal from the Cats' AFL side that lost to the Sydney Swans

* Andrew Mackie (quad), who was a late withdrawal from the VFL side that lost to Footscray

* Mitch Duncan (foot), who underwent surgery on Tuesday evening