COLLINGWOOD is hopeful Ben Reid will be available to play this week despite receiving a corked calf in the VFL on Sunday.
 
The All Australian defender has not played a game this season after suffering quad and calf injuries.
 
However the Magpies are optimistic that the latest hiccup will have little effect on his comeback.
 
Collingwood football manager Rodney Eade said Reid was only scheduled to play a half in the VFL and he incurred the injury five minutes before half-time.
 
"It was an unfortunate occurrence but we got the game time that we wanted into Ben. He looks like he'll be available this week, which is a plus. He obviously can't take a trick at the moment but he's OK," Eade told collingwoodfc.com.au
 
Reid would be expected to need at least another week of conditioning in the VFL before being considered for senior selection.
 
Small forward Jamie Elliott will have a test after missing Saturday's game against the Gold Coast with hamstring tightness while midfielder Luke Ball, who was missed at the stoppages on Saturday, should also be available after a tight back and calf kept him from the action.
 
Running wingman Sam Dwyer was subbed off with a groin problem against Gold Coast so he will be touch and go for the big game against Essendon.
 
The Magpies are likely to include former skipper Nick Maxwell for his first game since round 11 after his comeback from a calf injury via the VFL went to plan.
 
Unfortunately for the Magpies, Nathan Freeman, who the Magpies took at No.10 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, injured his left hamstring at training as he was on the verge of returning to the VFL.
 
Freeman had injured a tendon in his right hamstring pre-season but Eade said this injury was relatively minor in comparison.
 
He said he hoped Freeman would be back in two to three weeks.
 
Better news is the likely return of Alex Fasolo who has had a pin taken out of his foot after suffering foot problems for the past 15 months.
 
"[He] made a good recovery. He's fine. He's been running and he should be available for selection in the reserves this weekend," Eade said.