COLLINGWOOD youngster Nathan Freeman will have exploratory surgery on his hamstring this week as the club searches desperately for a solution to his ongoing problem.

Freeman was drafted with pick No.10 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft but is yet to play a game for the club after seriously damaging his hamstring in the 2014 NAB Challenge.

Collingwood's director of football Neil Balme told the club's website on Monday that Freeman would have surgery on Tuesday to find out why he is having ongoing issues.

"Nathan's been having a bit of trouble with his hamstring that kept him out of most of last year and hasn't quite been able to get up to full speed regularly," Balme said.

"There may be some scar tissue, there may be some (other) issues that are holding him back. We'll have a go at that and see how he goes. It will certainly be medium term in recovery from that surgery. It's disappointing but I think it will be the best thing for Nathan."

Balme said Paul Seedsman is expected to be available this week after missing last week with a glute complaint.

Steele Sidebottom is also a chance to return for his first game since round one after missing the past five weeks with a broken thumb.

"We're hopeful of that but he needs to get through training and we'll review it later on in the week," Balme said.

"So it'll either be this week or next week."

Balme said the club is hopeful that injury-prone defender Ben Reid could return to play in the VFL this week.