COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Burns has denied he tore his calf in the Magpies' round 21 clash with the Sydney Swans, and is optimistic of playing in the club's elimination final against Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.

Burns didn't make the trip to play Fremantle after sustaining the injury, speculated to be worse than originally thought.

But the 33-year-old has confidence in his healing powers and is hopeful of returning from what he says is a deep cork received against the Swans.

"It's really good. It's coming along very nicely," he said on Tuesday.

"Each day I'm feeling a lot more positive than the day before, so we'll just have to wait and see and get through as much training and as much running and we'll make a decision later in the week.

"It's hard to give a percentage but I feel really good. We just step it up from now on and things can change, either to the positive or the negative.

"From the history that I've had, I'm reasonably positive."

However, coach Mick Malthouse couldn't guarantee the availability of Dale Thomas (calf) and Shane Wakelin (groin), claiming the players won't dictate whether they return.

Thomas has been sidelined for the past fortnight, while Wakelin missed last weekend's trip to Perth.

"[Thomas] is in that category that he might think he is [ready to play]," Malthouse said. "But unless medical clear him and then it comes to us, and if we've got enough players that are holding up and have good form, and without risk taking, he won't play.

"[Wakelin] is in the same category but a little bit on the other side with Burnsy that if he declares himself fit and medical declare him fit, then we've got a job to either pick him or not pick him.

"We've got to trust senior players. It's not that we don't trust younger players; it's just that they haven't had the experience of knowing their body.

"Some of these injuries are just rare; they look at it and they don't know what they've got.

"Our mind is pretty much set on what we think the side will be. I've just come from match committee, we train again tomorrow, and all that will do is confirm or not confirm our side with the injuries."

Malthouse also included Sharrod Wellingham in the group of players unsure of their fate, with the youngster battling a groin complaint that kept him from playing last weekend.