Chris Tarrant’s AFL comeback only lasted a few minutes before the Collingwood key defender was sidelined for up to a month with a new injury.

The Magpies confirmed on Tuesday morning that Tarrant had suffered a calf muscle strain in the first term of last Saturday night’s win over Richmond at the MCG.

He was returning to the seniors after missing much of the pre-season because of a foot injury.

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh conceded it might take Tarrant until mid-season to regain top form, given the amount of football the defender is missing.

“He’s had an interrupted last couple of months, so yes, that’s a possibility,” Walsh said.

“He had some scans yesterday, (he has) a strain of the calf, it’s probably three or four weeks before we see him back.”

While Tarrant’s setback is a fresh blow for the Magpies, their pre-season injury problems generally appear to be easing.

Captain Nick Maxwell will probably return to the side for Friday night’s blockbuster against traditional rivals Carlton.

Maxwell hurt his ankle in the last round of the NAB Cup.

Star forward Alan Didak is also about to resume in the VFL from a pre-season upper leg injury, while Nathan Brown and Ben Johnson are making solid progress in the lower league.

Onballer Sharrod Wellingham is also available after serving a two-game club suspension.

“Most of our guys, apart from the two obvious ones, the knee `recos’ (Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer), are starting to trickle back,” Walsh said.

“He (Maxwell) will be fit and available, so it’s up to match committee whether they pick him.

“But I suppose as captain, he has a fair chance.”

Walsh added it was too early to say how long it would take for Didak to prove he is ready for an AFL return.

“How long is a piece of string?,” Walsh said.

“Alan is someone who generally finds touch pretty quickly, but having said that, he’ll obviously need match conditioning because the tempo of VFL football is a fair way off AFL.

“You’d want to see him play at least a couple, I would think.”

Given the strong form of Carlton ruckmen Matthew Kreuzer and Shaun Hampson, the `Pies could also look at recalling Cameron Wood for Friday’s big match.

“Cameron Wood’s form has been excellent and there’s no doubt he’ll come under some serious discussion at match committee,” Walsh said.

“Carlton have two pretty good, mobile ruckmen who take a catch.

“Woody’s form would certainly press his claims.”

While the Magpies posted their first win under new coach Nathan Buckley on the weekend, Carlton’s winless pre-season is already a distant memory after big wins over Richmond and Brisbane.

“It’s definitely going to be a big game, Carlton have played really well in the last couple of weeks,” said Collingwood defender Alan Toovey.

“Last week was a big improvement for us as well, so it’s going to be a really good game to see where we’re at.

“Pre-season form, they really didn’t show much, but as soon as the season proper started they’ve come out in the last two games and played well.”