STAR ruckman Brodie Grundy continues to battle a toe injury, more than three weeks after first going missing from the training track. 

Grundy trained away from the main group during Collingwood's session on Wednesday as Dayne Beams returned to duty after a week-long absence through illness.

The All Australian big man completed individual running before heading to the centre square at Olympic Park Oval for light one-on-one ruck work.

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As his teammates departed from the hour-long hit out, Grundy remained under the watchful eye of fitness staff as he was put through a series of short agility-type drills.

Despite Grundy's left leg being bandaged up to his calf, the Pies remain adamant he is improving from a toe injury that was initially described as a two-week setback.

It sees him unlikely to feature in next week's scratch match against Max Gawn and Melbourne, with an eye to potential game time in the Pies' two JLT Community Series matches.

Beams took part in clearance work, with onlookers given an insight into the Pies' stoppage set-up that Nathan Buckley will be forced to work through in the early parts of the season.

In Grundy's absence, Mason Cox and Max Lynch competed in the ruck and midfield alongside Beams, Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams, Rupert Wills and Tyler Brown. 

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Brayden Sier watched the clearance work from the sidelines, while Jordan De Goey was involved in early drills before completing running with Will Hoskin-Elliott and Travis Varcoe.

Backman Jack Crisp, fresh off a four-year contract extension, moved freely and showed no signs of any lingering concern from post-season hip surgery.

Daniel Wells (toe), Lynden Dunn (knee), Matt Scharenberg (knee) and Will Kelly (ankle) enjoyed light skills work.

High-flyer Jeremy Howe wasn't spotted as he overcomes a drained corked thigh that required a procedure last week.

The Pies' first JLT clash is against Fremantle in WA (March 4) before a trip to Morwell to face Carlton (March 11).