COLLINGWOOD has strongly denied high-flying forward Jamie Elliott has had a setback in his quest to return to the field from a long-term back injury.

There had been speculation swirling that Elliott's back injury, known as pars defect, had worsened in recent weeks.

But after a medical meeting on Tuesday, the Magpies maintain the original four to 12-week timeframe forecast for the 23-year-old's return is accurate.

"Jamie Elliott is coming along very well. He's doing a fair bit of running and he's getting there," Magpies football manager Neil Balme told the club's website.

"We've always said he's going to be a medium to long-term [proposition].

"He'll be another three to four weeks until we can give you anything more concrete on that.

"He'll play sooner rather than later, hopefully."

Collingwood has a specific running plan set out for Elliott that, once completed, should give it a better indication of his progress in around a fortnight's time. 

Following that training block, the club will review whether the back injury is still hampering his movement and decide the best course of action from there.

Elliott said in March he had been dealing with constant discomfort. 

"Some days are good and I don't feel it at all, and then there's other days where it stirs up a bit," Elliott said.

Meanwhile, the Magpies are hopeful Travis Cloke and Ben Reid will be available for Monday's clash against Essendon on Anzac Day.

Cloke (elbow) and Reid (left knee) will both have to pass fitness tests before being declared fit, and therefore available, for the game against the Bombers.

Small defender Ben Sinclair, who suffered a concussion in the second quarter of last Sunday's match against Melbourne, will be put through the concussion protocol to determine his chances for Monday's match.