COLLINGWOOD expects gun recruit Bri Davey to return for its upcoming VFLW finals campaign, despite suffering a brutal head injury against her former side Carlton over the weekend.

Davey was forced to have several stitches placed underneath her left eye following an accidental head clash in the final quarter, which left her cheekbone bloodied and bruised.

However, there was no structural damage, meaning Davey is not expected to miss much - if any - football. 

It followed a best on ground display at Victoria Park, where Davey was playing against her former side for the first time since her controversial trade during the AFLW off-season.

Davey, Carlton's captain for the last two AFLW seasons, stunned the Blues when she requested a move to their arch rivals in April. She was ultimately traded to the Pies in exchange for first, second and third-round picks.

Despite the gruesome nature of the injury, Collingwood expects Davey to return before the VFLW finals in three weeks' time. The Pies are currently on top of the VFLW ladder, having lost only one game all season.

Collingwood has a bye this weekend, before taking on Essendon and Hawthorn in its final two matches.