Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is unlikely to make the journey to Perth to take on West Coast this Sunday after experiencing glute soreness during last weekend's loss to Geelong.
The 30-year-old midfielder has been in scintillating form, but failed to get through main training on Thursday.
With Collingwood coach Craig McRae ill, although expected to make the trip to Perth, assistant coach Hayden Skipworth spoke on De Goey's health.
"(De Goey) didn't get through training today," Skipworth said.
"Obviously, got a bit of a longer break before Sunday, but you think he'd be unlikely going into the game, having not trained this week. So we'll give him every opportunity. We'll talk to the medicos this afternoon and see where he's at."
First-year player Sam Swadling has been in terrific form in the VFL, racking up 28 and 39 disposals across the past fortnight, and looms as an inclusion.
Skipworth said you can't ignore the 19-year-old 187cm midfielder's form.
"Definitely (Swadling) is in the mix (for selection)," he said.
"He's gone back; he's really unlucky to go out of the team. Him and Roan Steele I thought were contributing really well in the front half of the year. So he's definitely one; his name's up on the magnet board at the moment, but he'd be probably a good chance to play.
"His outnumber, his contest to contest, he got 40 possessions; again for a (19-year-old kid), it's quite remarkable. His ball use as well, he doesn't get the junk touches, takes the ball forward, can kick left and right. He's got great hands around contest.
"He's had a super first year and been lucky enough to find him some games, and hopefully we get him some more games in the back end of the year."
The Pies will also need to replace Jeremy Howe (arm), Harry Perryman (hamstring) and Patrick Lipinski (calf) for the clash with West Coast.
Noah Howes could be in line for a potential debut to add defensive reinforcements.
Collingwood has used management and rest plans with its senior players, such as Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, throughout the season.
The flight to Perth will be followed by back-to-back six-day breaks. Skipworth said the Pies' selection decisions wouldn't be affected by the AFL's recent warning to clubs on resting mass players on the eve of finals.
"No plans (to rest veterans) at the moment," he said.
"We're trying to build up from winning the flag. We've got an older list as yes, as everyone knows. So I'm realistic to those guys that play every week. But we do make those decisions at the back end of the week; we'll gather all the information we can, and we'll make a decision closer to game day for those guys.
"We've had to manage at least for the last few years, based on the age of the guys and some new guys, so we'll continue to do that throughout the back end of the year as well."
