COLLINGWOOD could receive a much-needed boost from the return of Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe for its clash with Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon.

However, the club is taking a more cautious approach with injury-prone recruit Daniel Wells, who will have to work his way into the side through the VFL.

Buckley's position safe until season's end

Wells has not played since injuring his calf in the Magpies' round 11 win over Fremantle, and coach Nathan Buckley said he wants to ensure the former Kangaroo can stay on the park.

"He’s been out for quite a while and we want to make sure that when he comes back in that he stays in, so there might be a VFL game or two to get him back up to speed," Buckley said of Wells.

Buckley said key forward Moore had trained strongly and had recovered from a hamstring injury, while Howe has more to prove this week after being a late withdrawal from the Pies' loss to Essendon due to calf tightness.

"Howie got through what he needed to, but he’s probably got a bit more to prove before he’d be cleared to play," the coach said.

More team changes are possible this week, with Buckley highlighting the importance of ensuring all selected players were in form.

"We’ll continue to coach for now and for the future of the club by playing the players that we believe have earned their opportunity and reward performance, and part of that is penalising poor performance, which we need to do," Buckley said.

Tough on-baller Rupert Wills has put his hand up to play after gathering 33 disposals and seven clearances in his third VFL game since recovering from a calf injury.

Buckley identified contested football as one of the areas to blame for his team's recent performances, and said Wills could add some grunt to the side.

"Rupert has been really strong (in) two-and-a-half games back and he’s a contested ball beast," he said.

Wills, 24, debuted in round 19 last year and went on to play five senior games, but is yet to play a match this year due to an injury-interrupted season.

Buckley said he had also been impressed by the form of Jarryd Blair and Chris Mayne in the reserves, as well as the response from axed midfielder James Aish, who had 28 disposals and a goal on the weekend.