COLLINGWOOD will leave a decision on whether skipper Scott Pendlebury is fit to take on Geelong prior to the game on Sunday, with coach Nathan Buckley conceding the star midfielder is in doubt for the clash at the MCG.

While the Magpies captain remains under a cloud, veteran midfielder Daniel Wells is a confirmed starter for his first game for the season against the Cats.

Pendlebury, who injured his left ankle against Brisbane last Sunday, failed to train with teammates during the Magpies' main training session at Olympic Park Oval, instead spending his time indoors.

Buckley said a call on Pendlebury's status would be made 90 minutes before the match on Sunday.

"We'll name him and give him every chance, but he has to be in some doubt given that he didn't train today," Buckley said.

"We'll run him all the way to the line.

"If he's right to play he'll play. If he's not he won't. It's pretty simple."

Wells was hampered by an ongoing Achilles injury over the pre-season, and returned to play in the VFL in late April after missing the start of the season.

The 33-year-old has been in good form for the Magpies' VFL team, gathering 19 disposals and kicking one goal in team's win over Werribee last weekend.

"We'll name our side this afternoon, but 'Wellsy' will be in the 22," Buckley said.

"He's worked his way back in to match fitness over the last three or four weeks. We think it's the right time to re-introduce him, and we're looking forward to seeing what he can bring.

"He was a really important player to us playing our best footy last year and we're still exploring what our best football looks like this year, so he'll get his chance."

Wells missed the first month of the season last year after being restricted by a lingering calf injury, and Buckley said it would be important to manage the midfielder's body in his 16th season.

"He's no spring chicken, he's not at the beginning of his career, he's coming towards the end of it," Buckley said.

"The easy way to look at it would be that he's the cream on the cake, but he's a bit more than that for us. Even last year showed his capacity to influence the game in all phases.

"He'll build from what we see this weekend, but we want to explore that as much as we can."

Collingwood has won three of the past four clashes between the sides, although Geelong took victory by 11 points when the teams met in round 22 last season.