COLLINGWOOD is prepared to take a few "risks" in star midfielder Dane Swan's recovery from a serious leg injury to give him the best chance to play again in 2016. 

Coach Nathan Buckley conceded there was no certainty that Swan would be back on the field this season, but the star Pie is committed to giving it his best shot.

"I had a good chat to 'Swanny' a couple of days ago and his focus is getting back for August," Buckley said on Friday.

"He understands there's probably going to be some risks he'll take in his rehab to accelerate it in an effort to get back in time for this year."

Swan, who had surgery on his foot and leg earlier this month, was back in the gym at the Holden Centre on Friday and the plan is for him to be out of the moon boot in a fortnight's time before progressing into weight-bearing exercise.

Buckley said there was "a lot of unknowns" about Swan's "extreme" injury, and the 2011 Brownlow medallist would be closely monitored during his comeback attempt.

Injured star Dane Swan lifting weights. Picture: Collingwood Media


Match preview: West Coast v Collingwood

"In those conversations, we table everything – the form of the team, whether we're going to qualify for the last part of the year and whether he has that light at the end of the tunnel," Buckley said.

"He's absolutely focused on getting back and playing some form of role this year.

"Swanny's injury was rare, it was fairly extreme. Whilst we've spoken about what his will is, it's probably more likely than not that he'll struggle to get back.

"But I'm happy to hear him say that he wants to and we won't be standing in his way."

The Pies will take a squad of 23 or 24 players to Perth to take on West Coast and make a call on the inclusions prior to Sunday's match at Domain Stadium.

Key forward Travis Cloke will not be among the travelling party and is set for another week in the VFL.

Cloke kicked two goals and had five touches from limited opportunities against Essendon's VFL side last weekend.

"We would have loved to have had another tall target to take over to Perth and against the Eagles, but we’ve got to be sure of exactly what we’re going to get and [Trav] needs to put together a body of work in the VFL to prove his selection," Buckley said.

"It's not statistical and it won’t be based on how many goals he kicks either.

"It's just really competing in the air and competing on the ground, and getting that level of contest and work-rate that we've come to expect and take for granted from a bloke like Trav for a long time."