COLLINGWOOD swingman Ben Reid's return date is set to be delayed by up to three more weeks as his slow recovery from a calf strain continues.
Reid is yet to play a game this season after injuring his calf in a practice match against Gold Coast on March 2.
His gradual progress has been hampered by the fact the injury is associated with the tendon in his calf and the Magpies are hoping he will be right to resume his season against Melbourne on Queen's Birthday.
"Unfortunately it looks like he'll be available (in) round 11 AFL, which is actually a bye in the reserves (VFL)," Magpies football manager Rodney Eade told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"Because he's missed so much footy, we think he'd probably have to come back through the twos. That probably puts it (his return) back an extra week."
In better news for the Pies, Alex Fasolo, Nick Maxwell, Alan Toovey and Clinton Young are all in line to return for the clash with Adelaide on Thursday night.
Small defender Ben Sinclair is likely to be available in the VFL this weekend after missing six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Dashing defender Paul Seedsman pulled up a little sore in his foot after making his return via the VFL a fortnight ago.
Seedsman, who was cleared of any structural damage by scans last week, is listed as a 50-50 proposition for VFL action this weekend.
Adam Oxley, who was elevated off the club's rookie list at the end of last year, has overcome an ankle injury he sustained in February.
But the club will play it cautiously with his return, preferring to make Oxley wait another week before sending him out for his first game.
