Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley isn't holding out much hope that forward Jamie Elliott will return for Sunday's crucial AFL clash with Essendon.
The sixth-placed Magpies have lost three of their past four games and have a 9-6 win-loss record, just one victory ahead of 10th-placed Essendon.
Buckley says Elliott, the club's second-leading goalkicker this season with 30 majors, is set to miss a second successive game with a hamstring injury.
However premiership players Nick Maxwell and Luke Ball are both ready to return from calf problems for Sunday's MCG blockbuster.
"I don't think Jamie will get up and Bally should be right," Buckley said on Wednesday, adding that ex-skipper Maxwell would return to the senior side.
Collingwood have a 4-4 record since their round-eight bye.
"We were playing better footy before the bye with similar names so it has got nothing to do with personnel," Buckley said.
"It has got a lot to do with how we execute the way we play. (We are) not playing well enough."
Essendon are coming off a stirring upset win over Port Adelaide last week, although the Bombers will be without gun midfielder Brendon Goddard on Sunday because of suspension.
As Essendon's players continue to battle off-field dramas regarding ASADA's investigation into the club's use of supplements in 2012, Buckley said the Bombers were showing admirable fighting qualities.
"Adversity builds character and provides a depth to that intensity," Buckley said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Essendon are feeling that and that it's bringing them closer together.
"We're going through our own lot of adversity, so we shouldn't be lacking for any intensity either."
Buckley said his side's effort level was poor in the second half of last week's loss to top-eight rivals Gold Coast.
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