COLLINGWOOD is hopeful father-son recruit Darcy Moore has only suffered a minor hamstring injury.

The talented young defender left the ground in the final quarter of Sunday's VFL game against Essendon with what appeared to be a major hamstring strain.

After examining the injury, the Magpies are hopeful his absence will be short-term but football manager Neil Balme said they were still waiting for the results of scans.

"When he did it, it looked like he might be out forever. Fortunately, after another look at it, it's not quite as bad," Balme told the club's website.

"We haven't got the results of the scans yet. He'll certainly miss this week, but hopefully not too much more."

The Magpies are hopeful that midfielder Steele Sidebottom will only miss two more weeks after suffering a broken thumb in round one against the Brisbane Lions.

However, the timing of his return depends on a further X-ray.

"If we get the good news, he won't be that far away – probably a week or two," Balme said.

Recruit Levi Greenwood is also expected to resume running this week as he recovers from a fractured ankle and Balme said the sight of Dane Swan in a moonboot was no reason for concern.

"We're very confident that he'll be fine for this week," Balme said.

Balme also confirmed that Matt Scharenberg was likely to play in the VFL this week as he returns from a knee reconstruction while Ben Kennedy has overcome a virus and is set to play.

 The date of Ben Reid's return from a quad injury remains uncertain and Tony Armstrong has a knee injury that will be examined this week.