COLLINGWOOD will make a call on Brownlow medallist Dane Swan's fitness on Thursday and won't name him for Friday night's clash with Carlton if there's doubt over his sprained ankle.
Swan was spotted wearing a moon boot earlier this week after he injured his ankle in the Magpies' Anzac Day win over Essendon.
He did some light jogging on Wednesday at training but didn't fully extend himself and only lasted half of the session.
Coach Nathan Buckley said there would be no mystery over whether he'd play against the Blues - he'd either be named on Thursday and play, or a call would be made and he'd miss.
"We plan to have a look at him tomorrow. He did enough [today] on the progressions of getting himself up to play on a six-day break for us," Buckley said.
"He ticked the boxes he needed to today but we were always planning to give him another 24 hours to see where he got to tomorrow to prove his fitness.
"We won't be waiting until Friday. We'll make the call on him one way or the other tomorrow."
Meanwhile, high draft selection Matthew Scharenberg will resume in the VFL this weekend after last year's knee reconstruction.
Buckley said the 19-year-old's return came off the back of nine months of diligent training that finally had him ready to play nearly a year and a half after he was drafted with pick No.6 overall.
"He would tell you he was ready six weeks ago but he's had to jump over hurdles and through hoops and do a whole heap of stuff so that we know he is absolutely ready to go," he said.
"He's pumped. He's really looking forward to playing and I think what has happened to him gives him a fair bit of perspective to appreciate even more the opportunity he has."
Key position player Ben Reid ramped up his running on Wednesday after overcoming a recent quad injury but needs to do more before he returns via the VFL.
After initial concerns of a tear, scans cleared him of serious damage and the injury has since been treated as a corked muscle.
"It's not about the short-term with 'Reidy', it's about making sure that we continue to work with him and around his body to make it as robust as possible," Buckley said.
"He's put in a lot of training and we're taking baby steps towards where we need to get to and we'll continue to take those.
"He didn't fully train today so … he'd need to have a stronger week than that for us to put him in."
Levi Greenwood (fractured ankle) walked laps on Wednesday while Steele Sidebottom trained with the thumb he broke in round one against the Brisbane Lions strapped.
Sidebottom has had his cast reduced to allow more wrist movement as part of his recovery and is set to meet his surgeon in the next week, which will provide a more accurate idea of when he can return.
The Magpies lost to the Blues by 33 points in the NAB Challenge and Buckley said his side was planning for another high-intensity clash.
"From a contested ball and stoppage perspective, their numbers stack up really well," he said.
"They smashed Essendon in contested ball and failed to take advantage of it but it looked like against St Kilda they were better on the outside and taking those chances.
"Their intensity was through the roof [in the NAB Cup] and that's what we're expecting and planning for.
"We lowered our colours on that day and we'd want to come more prepared this time."
