COLLINGWOOD defender Nick Maxwell will miss up to three weeks with a calf injury, but the Magpies are set to welcome back Dane Swan, Brodie Grundy and Luke Ball for the Queen's Birthday clash with Melbourne.
Scans showed a minor tear in Maxwell's right calf, but Magpies football director Rodney Eade insists the diagnosis is "best case scenario" for the club.
"The scan is not too bad. It could be two to three weeks, probably with his age (30) we'd probably think we'll err on the side of caution and it'll probably be three weeks," Eade told collingwoodfc.com.au.
Magpies forward Jesse White sustained a compound dislocation of his finger in the club's clash with St Kilda on Friday night.
But Eade said the Magpies were confident White would be fit to take on the Demons.
"There's no fracture, which was a good result. He's in a splint at the moment but we're pretty confident he'll be able to play on Monday," Eade said.
White has attracted little of the fanfare afforded other off-season AFL recruits this year, but the ex-Swan appears a good fit at Collingwood.
The man who represented Queensland in basketball and Australian football during his school days has played every match since round two.
Against St Kilda, he was pitched into the ruck following the last-minute withdrawal of Grundy, and arguably played his best game in black and white.
"Jesse's shown when he's in and around the ball, he has great impact," coach Nathan Buckley said.
"We're still finding out whether his role is best as a second ruckman or a legitimate tall forward.
"It takes players a little bit of time to adapt to new surroundings."
For White, life as a Magpie is sitting well.
"It's been great. My family's all in Melbourne so I've got that support off field," he said.
"I've got a baby due any time now. The club's been sensational with their support and giving me the time I need.
"I can't wait (to be a dad)."
In positive news for the club, Swan (heel), Grundy (back tightness) and Ball (tight calf) are all expected to play against Melbourne at the MCG next Monday.
The trio all missed Friday night's game against the Saints.
But Patrick Karnezis will miss between two and three weeks after injuring his hamstring at training last Friday.
It's a bitter blow for Karnezis, who was closing in on his senior Magpies debut after some impressive VFL form.
Matthew Scharenberg, the club's 2013 first-round draft pick (No. 6 overall), is also not too far away from playing his first game for the year.
Scharenberg was placed on the long-term injury list in February after having surgery on his problematic feet.
The Magpies believe he will be ready to play in early July, with the timing coinciding with the club's VFL game against the Northern Blues on Sunday, July 6.
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
