SCOTT Pendlebury has admitted he has been carrying sore ribs, but the injury will not keep him from taking the field against St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday. 

The Collingwood skipper told AFL.com.au that Richmond's players certainly made him earn his kicks in the Magpies' thrilling one-point victory last Friday night.

"The Richmond boys tested them (the ribs) out enough on the weekend; but if you're out there playing, you're 100 per cent and that's certainly the case with me," Pendlebury said.

Magpie star still battling back problems

Collingwood faces St Kilda on Saturday and the skipper said his side would need to improve, and quickly.

Coach Nathan Buckley rated the Pies a 5 or 6 out 10 for their performance across the first two rounds.

But Pendlebury was a little more critical of his team. 

"I'd say it's (Buckley's assessment was) a bit generous. I'd say maybe a 4 or 5 (out of 10)," he said. 

"We're 1-1 after two games and we're slowly building. We need to find our best footy and obviously that's in front of us."

Star midfielder Dane Swan had surgery to repair the breaks in his foot on Wednesday and Pendlebury said it was too early to speculate on whether the 2011 Brownlow medallist would play on next season. 

"Once this is done and the dust settles a bit, the surgeon and the powers that be will catch up and work out a plan moving forward for Dane," Pendlebury said. 

"It's up to what 'Swanny' wants to do, and medically making sure he can get back, especially with life after footy as well, (making sure) that he doesn't jeoparidise that in trying to rush back. 

"They'll make the best decision for Swanny after the surgery."

Pendlebury said he was enjoying spending time playing at half-back with the Magpies keen to have a man with good disposal skills playing behind the ball. 

But a move back into the midfield is not out of the question for the captain, particularly with the Magpies ranking 10^th in the competition in contested possessions after two rounds. 

Collingwood was the No.1 side in the competition in that category in 2015.

"I've played a bit there (in defence) this year and it is a different role," Pendlebury said. 

"I enjoy it and the camaraderie you get with the back six or seven is really cool, but I'm sure I'll get back in the midfield as well. 

"The midfield hasn't been setting the world on fire either so I think there's a lot of growth in our side, but I've always said to 'Bucks' and our coaching staff that I'll play wherever I'm needed." 

Pendlebury was promoting the Rookie Me program at Knox Shopping Centre on Wednesday, a tool designed for budding AFL stars to track their performances and compare their athletic abilities to others.