Collingwood have received a major boost before their AFL finals campaign with banned star Jaidyn Stephenson set to return via the VFL on Saturday.

It had been understood Stephenson’s 10-match gambling ban, which also kept him from playing in the VFL, would sideline until the Pies’ first match of the AFL finals series.

But the league has confirmed Stephenson’s ban ends with the final siren of Friday night’s Collingwood-Essendon clash at the MCG, allowing him to get crucial match practice against Box Hill on Saturday afternoon.