COLLINGWOOD star Nick Daicos has hit the training track solo as he ramps up his bid to return from injury with a bang in the preliminary final.
Daicos has been sidelined since suffering a hairline fracture in his knee in an upset loss to Hawthorn in round 21 but has gradually been building towards a return.
Coach Craig McRae had admitted Daicos would have been short of a run if required to play this week.
But with Collingwood earning the week off by beating Melbourne in last week's qualifying final, the pressure on the 20-year-old to return has been relieved.
Daicos hit the track for around two hours in warm conditions at Collingwood's training base at Olympic Park Oval on Wednesday, running through some drills with development coach Neville Jetta.
The midfielder was kicking, running and bar a couple of ginger moments, was moving well and in good spirits ahead of his planned return against either Port Adelaide or Greater Western Sydney at the MCG next week.
Older brother Josh has tried not to badger Nick about his knee too much, instead supporting the 20-year-old through his injury.
But the winger is confident the young gun, who averaged 31 disposals and kicked 18 goals before his injury, will hit the ground running when he returns.
"He's just been super professional with his his rehab and obviously wants to come back so bad,' Josh Daicos told AAP ahead of the finals.
"It's the best time of the year, finals.
"He was very optimistic about it and attacked rehab.
"He'll be ready to go."
Daicos' likely availability means coach McRae will likely have to deliver another piece of selection heartbreak after John Noble was dropped for the qualifying final.
Brayden Maynard is available after being cleared by the AFL Tribunal over his attempted smother that knocked out Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw.
Skipper Darcy Moore has had a lighter week on the track after having a cast on his right hand this week as he manages a tendon issue.
It is not expected to affect the star defender's availability for the preliminary final.
