COLLINGWOOD midfielder Levi Greenwood is in doubt for the Magpies' season opener against Hawthorn as he continues to struggle with a knee injury.
The 29-year-old has been absent from the training track in recent weeks after December surgery to address a medial ligament complaint.
It was hoped when he went under the knife the week before Christmas he would be back training by late January.
However, it is understood his recovery from the injury he initially sustained in round 20 last year has taken longer than expected.
He will now miss the Pies' second JLT Community Series game on March 10, which will leave him in a race against time to appear in round one on March 24.
In better news, defenders Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore have been slated to play in Friday night's VFL squad intraclub at Olympic Park.
Both have been on reduced loads in recent weeks after developing calf and Achilles soreness respectively.
They'll be joined in the hit-out by suspended midfielder Jordan De Goey, who is ineligible for senior selection for at least the next three weeks as he serves a club-imposed ban.
Meanwhile, Jamie Elliott (ankle), Daniel Wells (achilles) and Alex Fasolo (shoulder) remain hopeful of facing the Western Bulldogs on March 10, after falling short of Thursday night's clash with Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.
Midfielder Adam Treloar is another who is expected to face the Dogs in Moe, despite undergoing scans on Monday that set tongues wagging about a potential recurrence of his groin and hip issues.
It is understood Treloar is sore from a heavy knock he sustained in Thursday night's intraclub and has been rested from the Giants clash to allow him to recover.
The Pies have named five potential debutants for their first JLT game including promising youngster Jaidyn Stephenson, who has excited supporters with his explosive pace showcased in AFLX and the intraclub.
Ex-Port Melbourne defender Brody Mihocek, former Sydney rookie Sam Murray and rookie backman Flynn Appleby have also been selected in their squad.
Raw second-year defender Sam McLarty has been named after spending his first season at the club in the VFL following a pre-season shoulder problem.
