High-flying Collingwood face an enviable embarrassment of riches for Friday night’s clash with slumping AFL arch-rivals Carlton.

Key defender Chris Tarrant and midfield star Scott Pendlebury are on track to return from shoulder and leg complaints respectively, although livewire forward Alan Didak (adductor) is probably another week away.

The first-placed Magpies have defied a lengthy injury list to go on a 10-match winning streak since their most recent loss to the Blues back in round three.

The fortunes of the two clubs have headed in reverse directions ever since, with the Blues slumping to 10th after dropping six their past seven games.

That run of defeats has heaped the pressure on Carlton coach Brett Ratten.

In contrast, the biggest quandary for Collingwood counterpart Nathan Buckley is how to squeeze all of those players deserving a senior game into his 22 on Friday night.

“We’ve got some selection dilemmas with blokes that are in form and are incumbent – young players who are incumbent and playing really well,” Buckley said on Wednesday.

“And obviously there are some more experienced senior players who are getting back into shape.

“It’s a good problem to have.”

Buckley said Ratten seemed to be holding up well under pressure.

And he said the Blues would take some confidence into their MCG clash, having romped home by 60 points the last time the two teams squared off back in April.

“We’re preparing for Carlton’s best on Friday night,” said Buckley.

“But our major focus is on how we’re going to structure up and how we’re going to play and how well we do the things we want to do.

“Carlton should be planning for our best as a result.”