COLLINGWOOD recruit Daniel Wells will not train for 10 days after suffering a slight strain to his calf last week.

The 31-year-old, who signed a three-year deal to join the Magpies during the trade period, played 19 games in 2016 but battled an Achilles problem in 2015 when at North Melbourne.

However, Magpies senior assistant Brenton Sanderson told RSN radio breakfast the injury Wells suffered was minor.

"When you hit 30 they tend to pop up," Sanderson said.

Describing the recruit as a Ferrari because of the class he will add to the Magpies' emerging midfield, Sanderson said the only objective was to have him raring to go at round one.

"[We have to] make sure we get him to round one in really good physical shape," Sanderson said.

Collingwood players missed 208 games due to injury in 2016, however its rate of soft tissue injuries declined compared to previous seasons.

Meanwhile Sanderson said his long-standing friendship with Nathan Buckley and his previous senior coaching experience at Adelaide would help him challenge the coach in a positive sense.

"I will definitely try to challenge him without being abrasive and without trying to damage any sort of relationship," Sanderson said.

"[There will] be times when we argue and have some really heated debate, but that is all part of being in a football department and trying to chase success."

Buckley enters the final year of his contract with a team focused in rising up the ladder.

Sanderson said he was enthused about the talent on the list but said Collingwood needed to become more consistent in certain areas to succeed.

"The cornerstone of Collingwood when they play really good footy is they really do bring the pressure," Sanderson said.  

"They have a tackle count of 80 to 100 a game."