Collingwood refuse to buy into the growing worry that they could hit a tipping point because of their AFL injury scourge.
Key defender Jeremy Howe is the latest casualty, ruled out of Saturday night's must-win clash against Sydney at the SCG.
Howe suffered a heavy hit in last weekend's loss to Richmond.
Fellow defender Matthew Scharenberg will need his third knee reconstruction after he was also hurt in the Tigers loss.
Howe and Scharenberg join front-line Magpies such as Adam Treloar, Jordan De Goey, Lynden Dunn, Ben Reid and Jamie Elliott who are injured.
Despite a shocking run of luck, Collingwood are third and will go a long way towards shoring up a top-four finish if they can beat the out-of-form Swans.
The Magpies have earned plenty of praise for their team system.
Coach Nathan Buckley was asked if there was any fear that despite their strong form, their weight of injuries might eventually prove overwhelming.
"Everyone is talking about that - it's not something we're discussing internally," was Buckley's short, sharp response.
Former American college basketballer Jack Madgen will make his AFL debut - the sixth first-gamer for the Magpies this season.
He will come in as a key defender and was told of his debut on Thursday.
The Magpies were hopeful Howe would play against Sydney, but he has not trained this week.
Buckley said Howe was suffering from the effects of a head knock and a body shot.
"It's not as if it was a mild knock ... he's not right to go this weekend," Buckley said.
"We anticipate it will only be the one week ... it's serious enough to miss this week but we don't have any fears beyond that."
There is some good injury news for Collingwood with Brayden Sier set to return and Brody Mihocek also available after he suffered an ankle injury against the Tigers.
But Tyson Goldsack's speedy return from a pre-season knee reconstruction has hit a snag.
The defender was supposed to return in the VFL this weekend, but he will not play because of a jarred back.
"It's getting to the pointy end of his return to play and the next couple of pages are yet to be written and we'd like them to be as positive as they possibly can," Buckley said of Goldsack.
"It won't be for a lack of work or intent because Goldy's been first-class."
Buckley expects Sydney will be fierce on Saturday night.
"We know we're coming up against a team, their backs are against the wall and this is a must-win game for us as well," he said.
"It's a battle we're looking forward to."
