Injuries continue to derail Collingwood's AFL campaign but captain Scott Pendlebury won't join a series of high-profile teammates on the sidelines.
Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom only ran a couple of laps during Thursday's training session.
Pendlebury has been nursing sore ribs this year but coach Nathan Buckley suggested the four-time club best and fairest will be right to face Carlton on Saturday.
The 28-year-old and Sidebottom are being carefully managed given the side's consecutive six-day breaks, with the latest coming after a 62-point loss to West Coast in Perth.
"Pendles was touch and go up until the morning of last week's game," Buckley said.
"We're more sure of him (playing) this week than last week.
"He's the ultimate professional and you listen to a bloke like him a little bit more (than others).
"It was a pretty strong effort for him to get up and perform (against the Eagles) and he's been much better this week."
Buckley revealed Pendlebury was dealing with a sore back in addition to his ribs issue.
Pendlebury put the pain to one side to be his team's best performer in round six, when the Magpies added two more players to their injury list.
Buckley confirmed defenders Tom Langdon (ankle) and Ben Sinclair (head knock) would both miss the MCG clash with Carlton.
"We've lost a few, we need to find a few. It's exciting times for boys performing in the VFL," he said.
Meanwhile, influential on-baller Taylor Adams (knee) and speedster Travis Varcoe (hamstring) won't return this weekend.
"He (Adams) won't come up. He was trying really hard, he was pushing to get back," Buckley said.
"But he'll be at least another week. When he ran out onto the track today it was with every intention of proving his fitness.
"He did one lap then ran off, so that tells you that he's just not right yet."
Dane Swan (foot), Marley Williams (foot), Tyson Goldsack (thumb) and Jamie Elliott (back) headline the list of Magpies currently on the sidelines.
The Magpies are yet to make a call on whether forward Travis Cloke has done enough in the seconds to warrant a recall.
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