Gun forward Jordan De Goey will return for Collingwood's AFL clash with Brisbane but key defender Jeremy Howe could be another week away.
All-Australian candidate De Goey has missed the Magpies' past two games with a stress injury in his lower leg but trained with the main group on Thursday.
De Goey stayed deep forward during the team's match simulation but coach Nathan Buckley was quick to quash any doubts about the 22-year-old's fitness for Saturday night's game.
"He will be fit to play whatever role he's asked to play," Buckley told reporters.
"He was in pretty good form before we offloaded him two weeks ago. That was probably 50 per cent forward, 50 per cent (midfield).
"We won't hesitate to use him in any role. He's kept his fitness up off-legs and we'll just progress as normal."
Intercept king Howe (soreness) did not train on Thursday and appears unlikely to line up against the Lions, having missed last week's loss to Sydney.
"He received a cork about 10 minutes before the (concussion) he received in the Richmond game," Buckley said.
"That didn't come up last week and he struggled through the early part of this week so we'll give him every chance but if he's not fit, he doesn't play."
Swingman Ben Reid trained and will return through the VFL but Tyson Goldsack, who has been pushing to return from a ruptured ACL, is carrying back soreness and remains sidelined.
Collingwood have also put a line through Jamie Elliott's name with Buckley confirming the forward is set to undergo surgery on his injured hamstring.
The sixth-placed Magpies have been battered by injuries and should face a tough challenge in their push for a top-four finish from the developing Lions.
Buckley conceded the Pies had been fortunate to escape with a seven-point victory when they faced Brisbane in a pulsating round-seven clash at the Gabba.
"We rate the footy that they've been able to play," he said.
"Their contest and their energy around the ball is really sharp, they put a lot of pressure on and they move the ball particularly well.
"I think they've asked a few questions of some pretty good sides in recent times and we know pretty much what they're going to get from them."
