Collingwood will benefit from the return of veteran Scott Pendlebury and key forward Brody Mihocek for this weekend’s match against the Gold Coast. However, Category B rookie Wil Parker has undergone knee surgery and will be out for up to six weeks.
Pendlebury and Mihocek, who were injured during the round 11 draw against Fremantle at Optus Stadium, have been cleared to play against the Suns at People First Stadium on Saturday. Pendlebury, recovering from a bicep tendon injury, is on track to reach his 400-game milestone against Carlton in round 21 after missing three games. Mihocek, who suffered a second hamstring strain within a month, was held back conservatively and missed the North Melbourne game in round 14.
Jordan De Goey is also pushing for a return after a groin and abdominal tendon tear. Having played against Adelaide in round 10, he still needs to pass training assessments to be cleared for the game. Joe Richards, who fractured a metatarsal in round 11, could be available for the trip to Queensland if he passes a fitness test on Thursday.
Parker had surgery to repair a torn meniscus during the mid-season bye after experiencing knee soreness following a loss to North Melbourne’s reserves. The cricket convert, who joined Collingwood in February and played twice as a substitute, is out for at least a month.
Premiership defender Oleg Markov will return after missing the win over the Kangaroos due to a back injury. Mid-season recruit Ned Long, recovering from a strained calf, will be available for the first time since being picked in the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft last month.
