COLLINGWOOD, fresh from its sixth straight win of the season, will again have close to a full list to choose from ahead of its biggest test of the season.

The Magpies consolidated their position on the ladder with Friday night’s clinical 35-point win over Essendon but are yet to beat anyone from this year’s top four.

To this point Collingwood’s biggest scalps in 2009 have been those of the Brisbane Lions (round four) and now Essendon.

However Mick Malthouse’s team, now fourth on the table, gets a chance to prove itself against the third-placed Western Bulldogs at Docklands on Friday night.

And it will do so at close to full strength with Anthony Rocca the only recognised senior star on the club’s injury list.

“Nothing fresh came out of Friday night,” Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

Nick Maxwell sustained a broken nose after taking a great mark in the third term but Walsh said the skipper was fine to take on the rampaging Dogs, who smashed Hawthorn by 88 points at the weekend.

“He’ll be fine to play, there’s no problem there,” he said.

“He had it straightened out on Saturday morning so he’s okay.”

The Pies were also relieved key ballwinner Scott Pendlebury got through Friday night’s win over Essendon.

Pendlebury missed just one match with a medial ligament strain in his left knee and while Walsh paid tribute to the club’s medical staff, Malthouse also acknowledged his player’s resolve to return after the match.

“A massive credit to Scott Pendlebury, as I mentioned to the boys in the rooms, his attention to detail to be able to get back was outstanding,” the coach said after the win.

“The way he was able to conduct himself in that period, to get back was, as I say, fantastic.”

There is more good news for Collingwood at the lower level. While its VFL team enjoyed a solid win on Sunday, several fringe players are likely to return over the next fortnight.

Young midfielder/forward John McCarthy, who has been plagued by injuries this year, is expected to be available for selection this week after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Brent Macaffer (knee) is a good chance to play this week while the unlucky Sean Rusling (hip flexor) may be just one more week away from resuming.