ILLNESS has hit Scott Pendlebury, with the Collingwood captain a late out for the Pies' Friday night clash against the Western Bulldogs.

Callum Brown comes into the side, while Jeremy Howe will skipper the Pies in Pendlebury's absence.

Collingwood expects Pendlebury to return to full training next week.

With the season's midpoint looming, Friday's clash could be either a kickstart or the first nail in the coffin for Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.

The Pies started 2022 on fire but have lost four of their past six games and sit just outside the eight, while the Western Bulldogs were expecting big things this year yet are one rung lower.

The development of Collingwood's youth brigade has given fans plenty to get excited about, and with the Dogs losing Cody Weightman, Tim O'Brien and Laitham Vandermeer to injury, Craig McRae may be smelling blood.

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But will the out-of-form Darcy Moore be able to contain Aaron Naughton who's coming off a strong four-goal performance? Can the Pies' forward line make up for the energy drop that's sure to be felt with livewire Jack Ginnivan missing through injury?

And with Brodie Grundy out can the Magpies' mids get first use against one of the most celebrated onball brigades in the competition, made even stronger by the return of skipper Marcus Bontempelli?

The Dogs also welcome back tall defender Alex Keath and bring in youngsters Jordon Sweet, Rhylee West and debutant Luke Cleary, a 190cm defender.

Veteran ruckman Stefan Martin has been managed.

Collingwood v Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
Collingwood: Scott Pendlebury (illness) replaced in selected side by Callum Brown
Western Bulldogs: None

MEDICAL SUBS
Collingwood: Finlay Macrae
Western Bulldogs: Roarke Smith