Collingwood utility Travis Varcoe will miss the start of the AFL season with a hamstring injury.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said Varcoe strained a hamstring at Monday morning training.
“We would rather do it (play) with him … it’s unfortunate for Trav, the first soft-tissue injury of his career,” Buckley told AFL360.
Earlier Collingwood football manager Neil Balme also conceded that Varcoe will be out of action beyond Saturday night’s round-one game match against Sydney at the SCG.
“It’s certainly not serious, but he’ll miss some weeks,” Balme told the club website.
“He certainly would be medium-term.”
Star recruit Adam Treloar left training early on Friday, but Balme again said the midfielder is in no doubt for round one.
“Certainly Adam Treloar is in very good shape – he’s done enough work and should be very much available to play round one,” Balme said.
The Magpies have a strong list going into the season, with Jeremy Howe ready for the VFL after recovering from his broken finger.
Injury-plagued Ben Reid is also ready to resume.
“He’s always in this (injury) update at some point – he’s in pretty good shape,” Balme joked.
Utility Tyson Goldsack is also set to resume through the VFL from his off-season knee surgery.