COLLINGWOOD is set to be bolstered by the return of key tall Ben Reid for Saturday's clash against Geelong at the MCG, but the club will wait to make a call on fellow big man Nathan Brown as he returns from a hamstring complaint.
Reid, who completed Thursday's training session, has missed one match with a shoulder injury and will be an important inclusion as the Magpies square up to the premiership favourites.
Brown suffered a hamstring injury in the VFL two weeks ago and coach Nathan Buckley said the club would need to assess the key defender after he left the track early on Thursday.
"I haven't got an official word but his intention was to prove his fitness for this weekend," Buckley said.
"He did most of the session and he'll cool down, and we'll see how he is before making the call if he plays this week or not.
"'Reidy' got through training really well today and we expect him to be available."
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American recruit Mason Cox has been cleared to face the Cats after his hand was stepped on by teammate Darcy Moore in the Magpies' big win against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday night.
Buckley said the 211cm big man, who kicked four goals against the Lions in his best senior game, would be asked to play through the pain.
"It will be a little bit sore but you come over from the States and you play this game you find out pretty quickly you very rarely play at 100 cent fit, so it's going to be a test for him," the coach said.
Half-back Marley Williams (toe) and defender Tyson Goldsack (thumb) each got through training on Thursday and will return through the VFL.
They'll be joined by key forward Travis Cloke, who is yet to elevate himself into the Magpies' best team, and recruit James Aish.
Buckley suggested fans would need to be patient with Aish, who enjoyed a strong VFL hit-out last week with 22 disposals, four clearances and 13 tackles.
"Too much focus on one bloke," the coach said.
"Young fella, 20 years old. He's just come into our system, third year in the AFL.
"He'll continue his development and progress but it won't be at AFL level this week."
While external pressure has been eased on the Magpies, Buckley said it had increased on the players and coaches after their game style and effort clicked in a 78-point win over the Lions at the Gabba.
The coach said the contrast between last Saturday night and the team's early season form was "chalk and cheese".
"Internally it just highlights the disappointment with how we began," he said.
"Now we’ve got to prove that we can execute those plans and work just as hard against any opponent."
