COLLINGWOOD recruit Daniel Wells could push for selection at some level in the next fortnight after he joined in with the main group at training on Monday.
Wells, 32, was picked up as an unrestricted free agent on a three-year deal from North Melbourne at the end of last season but is yet to represent the Magpies after dealing with persistent calf issues during the pre-season.
The smooth-moving midfielder joined in match simulation, which was played on a smaller scale field, at the Holden Centre and ran freely.
Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said Wells was "doing everything that's asked of him".
"(He) trained really strongly today and I would expect that this time next week he would be at least pushing himself into the frame for selection," Walsh told collingwoodfc.com.au on Monday evening.
Wells ran repeat straight-line efforts at the end of training before doing laps, and was the last player off the track.
Collingwood hopes he could be available to play in round four, although Wells could return through the VFL. The reserves face Coburg at Piranha Park on Saturday, April 15, while the senior team will come up against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium the following day.
Coach Nathan Buckley earlier this year said having Wells play 15 games a year across his contract would be a "massive success".
Sidelined forward Jamie Elliott was another to impress. The 24-year-old said before training on Monday he would make himself available for selection against Sydney at the SCG on Friday if he pulled up well from the session.
A left ankle injury suffered in the week after the club's first JLT Community Series match forced Elliott into rehab.
Elliott was also involved in match simulation. Similar to Wells, Elliott finished with straight-line running repeat efforts and laps.
Back surgery wiped him out for all of 2016, meaning Elliott hasn't played since round 23, 2015.
Levi Greenwood continued his comeback from hip surgery and looks set to return earlier than expected, possibly within the next fortnight.
Walsh said both Elliott and Greenwood "trained strongly".
"They did everything that was asked of them and that's really good news," Walsh said.
"We will see how they pull up in the next 24 hours to make a decision whether they are available this week for the coming round of matches or whether it’s another week, but certainly their form on the track this afternoon was really pleasing."
Captain Scott Pendlebury was at the club on Monday but didn't train, with the onballer on a managed program since missing the final pre-season game against Richmond with an Achilles tendon issue.
He is expected to train on Wednesday.
Pendlebury, 29, has made a stellar start to the year, averaging 33.5 disposals across his two games and posting a career-high score in the Schick AFL Player Ratings in round one versus the Western Bulldogs.
Gun midfielder Adam Treloar left training early to have precautionary scans on his hip, but he too should be right for Wednesday's session.
Treloar, 24, had hip surgery in 2015, hence the reason for Collingwood's conservatism.
Jordan De Goey sported bandaging on his right hand but took part in the session as he recovers from a broken hand. He was injured in March while involved in a fight at a St Kilda bar.
