Star Carlton forward Harry McKay will be sidelined indefinitely due to unspecified personal reasons.

After being a late withdrawal from last week’s defeat to Hawthorn, the Blues said McKay was dealing with illness.

But Carlton coach Michael Voss has revealed McKay took some time away from the club.

“Obviously was dealing with a few things during the week,” Voss said of McKay.

“Took some time away from the club, but obviously felt best that he doesn’t play this week, so we’ll give him the space that he needs to be able to work through a few things.

“Not necessarily put a timeframe on it, but hopefully be back soon.”

Voss said McKay returned to the club on Wednesday after a “few days away”.

“Used the opportunity just to create a little bit of space, obviously now we respect his privacy,” he said.

“Us as a team, we get on with things.

“It’s always player over performance in terms of just being able to look after the person first, and that’s what the position we’ve taken.

“He’ll get the support he needs.

“As a footy club, clearly we wrap our arms around him, as I hope the whole football industry does, so we’ll give him the time that he needs.”

Carlton also have young forward Elijah Hollands on the sidelines after he elected to take leave due to personal reasons before the start of the season.

McKay’s absence will be a major blow for Carlton’s hopes of turning around a concerning 0-2 start to the season.

After suffering a shock loss to wooden spoon fancies Richmond when the Blues led by 41 points, Carlton immediately came under pressure.

Fellow star forward Charlie Curnow is still finding his feet after a pre-season compromised by ankle surgery, then knee issues.

Curnow, who missed the round one defeat to the Tigers, was kept to five possessions against the Hawks last week in one of the poorest outings of his 132-game career.

The Blues face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Friday night in what already looms as a crucial match for both sides.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge won’t be swayed too much at selection by McKay not being available.

“Whether it’s a (Brodie) Kemp or a (Jack) Silvangi to complement a Curnow in there, by and large, we usually pick our teams just based on how we feel we should represent,” Beveridge said.

“I think with their timber, even with McKay out, this makes us think about it rather than influence it too much.”

Veteran Bulldogs defender Liam Jones is likely to return after recovering from a serious hamstring injury suffered during a pre-season camp in February.

Versatile tall James O’Donnell is also in contention after missing last week’s narrow loss against Collingwood due to a broken jaw he suffered in a win over North Melbourne in round one.

The Bulldogs are slightly unlucky not to be sitting 2-0, despite missing a host of stars, including captain Marcus Bontempelli, All-Australian midfielder Adam Treloar, dynamic forward Cody Weightman, Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen, and troubled former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.