COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has refused to guarantee key forward Travis Cloke will line up against Essendon on Anzac Day.

Cloke has averaged just under 12 disposals and fewer than five marks a game this season. 

He injured his right elbow in the 35-point loss to Melbourne last Sunday.

Asked whether Cloke would play, Buckley declined to publicly give the big forward certainty about his place.

Match preview: Collingwood v Essendon

"We've got a squad of 28. We're in no position to make definitive statements around any selection given we've got blokes who are under injury clouds, and we need to get through training tomorrow," Buckley said on Friday afternoon.

The Pies are struggling at 1-3 and sit just one spot above Essendon on the ladder.

Collingwood's one win came against Richmond in round two, when Brodie Grundy kicked the match-winning goal in the final seconds.

While Cloke is struggling for form, Buckley mentioned a few others who need to lift.

"Darcy Moore, who's played (13) games, for the first time over the last couple of weeks has just shown a little bit of ball-watching," Buckley said.

"He's just not attacking the contest as much as we've taken for granted.

"Jordan De Goey is learning to run both ways as a midfielder.

"We haven't had great synergy with our backline.

"If you're looking at the form across our team, there's a lot of players that need to lift. 

Injuries have been an issue for the Magpies. Dane Swan is unlikely to return this year after breaking his foot, Jamie Elliott will be out for another four weeks with a back injury and Marley Williams is unavailable with a foot strain, among others.

"Tom Langdon was a bit sore (after playing the Demons)," Buckley said.

"So was Ben Reid coming out of the game last week.

"(Ben) Sinclair still needs to prove his fitness from a concussion perspective."

Reid hurt his knee against the Demons, and his defending and kicking skills are crucial to Collingwood.

The trio will face injury tests before playing the Bombers at the MCG on Monday.

Buckley said Essendon would be difficult to beat, but he had faith his players would respond to the challenge.

"They've got the second-most number of disposals per game in the comp, so they are relying on retaining possession.

"They're not afraid to flip it around, especially in the back half.

"I've got absolute confidence in our players to be able to deliver the type of football that we can.

"But when you get to a point, right here, right now, we need to turn those words into action."