A HAMSTRING injury is likely to force Travis Varcoe out of the Collingwood line-up for Sunday's season-defining game against West Coast.

The 28-year-old re-injured himself on Anzac Day against Essendon in just his second game back after missing the first three rounds with a torn hamstring.

Collingwood football manager Neil Balme told the club website that the Magpies would be reluctant to take a punt on him.

"It would be a big risk to take him to Perth and hope that he plays," Balme said.

The Magpies may be able to include Ben Sinclair, who missed last week's game with concussion but looks to have recovered.

Collingwood sits 11th on the ladder after an ordinary start to the season – just three spots below West Coast – and has already used 34 players in just five rounds.

No club has used that many players in five rounds since Melbourne went winless in the first five weeks of 2007.

Collingwood will name a squad of 25 for the game, with key forward Travis Cloke expected to remain in the VFL again this week.