Collingwood key defender Nathan Brown is making an unlikely bid to be recalled for Friday night’s crucial AFL blockbuster against Richmond.

Brown dislocated his right shoulder in the round-two loss and was expected to be out of action for about five weeks.

As recently as Tuesday, the club website had him listed as being another one to two weeks from returning.

But Brown trained well on Wednesday morning and coach Nathan Buckley said the backman was pushing his case hard for a speedy return.

“He’s recovered really well – he’s quite bullish about his chances,” Buckley said.

“He has a little bit of work to do and he has to convince the docs.”

Former captain Nick Maxwell and onballer Dayne Beams are also trying to prove their fitness after suffering ankle injuries in last weekend’s loss to Geelong.

Sam Dwyer’s knee injury is expected to put him out of action for a week.

Friday night has become a key match for the two clubs after they managed only one win apiece from their opening three matches.

The Tigers revealed on Wednesday that the injury to star utility Brett Deledio is worse than first thought.

Coach Damien Hardwick said Deledio has had a flare up of an Achilles tendon problem, not an ankle injury.

Deledio was forced out of last weekend’s narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs, ending his run of 140 consecutive games.

Achilles problems can be notoriously tricky to overcome.

Carlton veteran Chris Judd needed surgery on the tendon and his forecast comeback was also pushed back to round five.

In other injury news from Punt Rd, the Tigers hope defender Alex Rance will return in round six from his broken foot.