COLLINGWOOD's task of beating a West Coast on its home deck on Sunday has become even more difficult, with in-form midfielder Taylor Adams ruled out due to a knee complaint.

Adams has been replaced in the Collingwood squad of 25 by untried youngster Tom Phillips.

The tough onballer, who was elevated to the club's leadership group at the start of the season, is a huge loss for the Pies.

Adams' omission compounds the fact the Magpies will also be without Travis Varcoe, who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury in the Magpies' 69-point win over Essendon on Anzac Day.

Adams is ranked equal third at the Magpies for disposals per game (27.6), second in clearances (4.8) and fourth for contested possessions (9.8) in 2016.

Phillips, pick No.58 in last year's draft, has elite endurance and dethroned Steele Sidebottom in the club's 2km time trial late last year.

Tom Langdon is a likely replacement for Varcoe after shaking off a knee issue, while Ben Sinclair is available for selection after missing the clash against the Bombers with concussion.

The Magpies' final team for Sunday's match at Domain Stadium will be finalised later on Friday afternoon.