COLLINGWOOD defender Ben Reid aims to play during the JLT Community Series as he gradually builds towards full fitness following a post-season operation to repair his posterior cruciate ligament.

The premiership defender began running 12 weeks after the operation and expects to join full ground drills in the next fortnight.

The 27-year-old conceded he initially battled to overcome soreness but he has made good progress post-Christmas.

"It's been pretty smooth sailing so far," Reid told the club's website.

"The first four weeks of running I was getting a little bit sore but from then on it's been pretty good."

Reid played 17 games last season after playing just nine games in the previous two seasons.

He id focusing on bringing some experience to the Magpies' new-look backline, which is coached by former St Kilda midfielder Robert Harvey.

The Magpies recruited Melbourne's Lynden Dunn and Gold Coast's Henry Schade and expect the pair to vie for spots in a backline that will contain players such as Josh Smith, Tyson Goldsack, Jackson Ramsay and Tom Langdon in 2017.

The Magpies play an intraclub practice match at the Holden Centre on Wednesday February 8.