COLLINGWOOD ruckman Brodie Grundy feels fortunate that the neck injury he suffered at training last Friday wasn't worse and expects to wear a neck brace for two weeks.

He will then re-assess how he is feeling before setting a possible return date.

Grundy, 21, missed the game against Greater Western Sydney but Magpies football manager Neil Balme told collingwoodfc.com au return against Fremantle in round 13 was not out of the question although that appears unlikely.

"I don’t have any pain I just have a bit of soreness around my neck," Grundy told CollingwoodTV.

"[I had a] bit of compression from the top of my head and the spinal column kind of buckled a little bit, so the ligament tore and there’s some hematoma around there."

Grundy will return to his home state of South Australia to recuperate and said he felt fortunate that the Magpies' medical staff were so vigilant in their treatment of him.

"I thought it was a little bit over the top when it was happening but I’m very thankful that the protocol that they had, they followed it," he said.

"I'm very fortunate it wasn't anything worse, and waking up today, count your blessings. I'm very happy. Life is bigger than footy so I am going home today to appreciate the little things."

Collingwood heads into the bye with eight wins from 11 games and hopes small forward Jarryd Blair will be available against Fremantle after missing on the weekend because of an ankle injury.

The Magpies were also buoyed by the successful return from a fractured leg by recruit Levi Greenwood.