Collingwood is expected to welcome the return of ruckman Darcy Cameron for Sunday's blockbuster clash with Carlton.
Cameron hasn't played for the Magpies since sustaining a knee injury in Round 3, with coach Craig McRae forced to call on makeshift ruck options for the opening third of the season given further ailments to Mason Cox and Aiden Begg.
Begg has since returned from his back injury through the VFL while Cox has played in the last two Collingwood wins, including a heroic performance against the Giants last Sunday.
McRae will now be mulling over his ruck rotations for this weekend's clash with close rivals Carlton, with both Cameron and Cox to be available for selection, assuming the former gets through the team's main training session on Friday unscathed.
Defender Billy Frampton, who was among the contingent of Magpies to take on some of the ruck workload in recent weeks, is seen likely to return from a groin injury before Collingwood's Round 14 bye, while fellow recruit Dan McStay could also be made available for a return in the coming weeks from a finger injury.
Midfielder Pat Lipinski is in the mix to play as early as Round 13, however the club is likely to rely on the mid-season break for further recovery and not rush the former Bulldogs back from shoulder surgery.
The club has confirmed fringe tall Nathan Kreuger has avoided damage to his shoulder after sustaining an injury in the VFL, with a contact injury resulting in Kreuger ending the game early. Kreuger will join Cameron as a test ahead of Friday's session at Olympic Park.
First-year midfield-forward Joe Richards has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain that has left the mature-aged draftee with an unclear timeline for his return.
Collingwood will name an extended squad for Sunday's clash with Carlton at 6:20pm (AEST) on Thursday before confirming their interchange on Friday evening at 5:00pm.
