McIntyre has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring strain in the Blues’ win against Hamilton Kangaroos at Melville Oval in round five.

Blues coach Scott Carter said a “little bit of a niggle” had delayed his return and would rule him out of the cross-town showdown with South Warrnambool on Sunday.

But Carter forecast the former Adelaide Crows-listed onballer would play against Cobden on July 18.

“We’ve been very conservative with it, he’s up and about now doing a bit of work, a lot of strides,” he said.

“He’ll be back after the break against Cobden. His fitness won’t be an issue. He’ll be a welcome addition for us in the run home.”

Carter said defender Will Jacobs was “50-50” to take on the Roosters, having suffered a hamstring injury a fortnight ago. Nick Chirnside, whose hamstring injury last Saturday compounded the Blues’ defeat to Koroit, will miss.

“The good thing about winning games early is you give yourself a little bit of a buffer, you don’t have to take unnecessary risks,” Carter said.

Carter said the Blues, who dropped to second after losing to the Saints, were keen to clinch the minor premiership.

But he believed having to play the opening week of finals – as sides ranked second to fifth must – would not be a hindrance to claiming a fourth flag in six seasons.

“We’d love to finish on top, I don’t shy away from that, I think that’s the best way to go. But it’s shown the last few years the premier has come from second or third,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s a proven formula to be honest. The only proven formula is it’s generally pretty difficult to win unless you’re in the top three.”

In other matches this weekend, all on Saturday, North Warrnambool Eagles host Port Fairy at Bushfield.

Cobden meet Camperdown at Cobden, Portland welcome Hamilton Kangaroos to Hanlon Park and Koroit take on Terang Mortlake at Victoria Park.