COLLINGWOOD coach Craig McRae has dismissed suggestions Tom Mitchell could be used in a different role after the Brownlow medallist was subbed out against Port Adelaide.

The former Hawthorn and Sydney midfielder has been used sparingly by the Magpies during the last two weeks, after starting the round 18 clash with Fremantle as the substitute.

Dashing defender Oleg Markov was brought into Saturday night's match against Port late in the third quarter for Mitchell as the Magpies chased another classic comeback victory.

"I had a good chat to Tom (on Tuesday), I won't share all the details of the conversation other than that he's an integral part of what we're doing," McRae said on Wednesday.

"The game itself we felt we had to get the ball to the outside and transition. We hadn't done that for three quarters, so we had to give up a little bit at stoppage to do that.

"Those conversations were probably around five or six players, who could we sub.

"Small margins in the end (made) the decision ... but we stand by it.

"We got him to the club (at the end of last year) to be a first possession, clearance player that puts pressure on if he doesn't get it. That's what he's here to do."

Collingwood (16-2) sit two games and percentage clear on top of the ladder heading into Friday night's blockbuster clash with in-form rival Carlton at the MCG.

Josh Daicos, Bobby Hill and Isaac Quaynor all missed the Magpies' main training session on Wednesday through illness but the trio are not considered in any doubt to face the Blues.

Under McRae, the Magpies take no risks with colds and viruses, telling players and staff to stay away from the club however minor an illness may appear to be.

"We just don't want them in the building, sniffily nose or a cough – that's just what we do," McRae said.

"We trust that they're going to be all OK to play."

The Magpies' injury list is clear except for young midfielder Finlay Macrae, who is sidelined with a broken thumb.

Jack Ginnivan has struggled to find his best form this season and has not played at AFL level since round 12.

But Ginnivan was excellent in Collingwood's VFL victory last weekend, kicking two goals and gathering 29 possessions.

"He's been training at a really high standard for probably about a month and hasn't quite got the reward on matchday, up until last week," McRae said.

"He really played above VFL level, looked like an AFL player on top of the ground and we're really pleased with his performance.

"We'll pick a team that we think will win on that day.

"We're not having an eye on the future, we will concentrate on this week."