TALENTED Magpie Alex Fasolo is in line to make his long anticipated return to senior football at Wangaratta on Saturday when the Magpies play Richmond in the NAB Challenge.
Collingwood's director of football Rodney Eade said Fasolo would be available for selection if he got through Collingwood's training session on Thursday morning. He has not played senior football since round five last season.
The 21-year-old played just three games last season after suffering a navicular bone injury in his right foot. He had surgery on his foot in May that forced him out for the rest of the season.
The Magpies have managed him carefully during the pre-season but have been happy with his progress. He was named as an emergency against Geelong last Wednesday but did not play.
"He is certainly right in the mix to be selected if he gets through training [but] we haven't finalised it. We'll have to have training tomorrow but he's certainly in the mix," Collingwood football director Rodney Eade told AFL.com.au.
The 21-year-old had been a consistent performer for the Magpies, kicking 45 goals in 40 games since he made his debut in round 12, 2011.
He played in the 2011 Grand Final and kicked 28 goals in 2012 to finish equal second on the Magpies' goalkicking tally.
The Magpies are also happy with the progress of Alan Toovey who is on the comeback trail after a knee reconstruction. His return date remains uncertain as the valuable defender is yet to get final clearance from his surgeon to return.
Collingwood's Ben Reid is also anticipating playing his first game of the season in his former hometown on Saturday.
The Magpies lost to Geelong by two points in the opening NAB Challenge game but the performance was encouraging. However Collingwood lost Tim Broomhead (broken hand) and Nathan Freeman (hamstring) to injury.
