COLLINGWOOD captain Darcy Moore is struggling with an infection in his elbow and is in some doubt to lead the Magpies in their clash with Greater Western Sydney.

The star defender failed to join Collingwood's main session on Friday and will rest up before Sunday's match against the Giants at the MCG.

Magpies coach Craig McRae is hopeful Moore's health will keep improving during the next two days.

"Unfortunately Darcy got an infection in his elbow early in the week, sort of almost like a spider bite, but it's not, it's a scratch that got infected," McRae said on Friday.

"It got quite bad early in the week so we're just looking after him.

"He's going to need to do a little bit more in the next 24 hours to be available but we're anticipating that'll be the case.

"He's taking the antibiotics, but there's progression suggesting he'll be available."

John Noble, who starred in last week's win against Sydney, is battling a corked thigh but McRae anticipates the dashing defender will be available to face GWS.

Versatile tall Billy Frampton will miss at least two weeks with a groin injury, adding to Collingwood's depleted big-man stocks.

Young ruck Aiden Begg has been added to the Magpies' squad to potentially partner Mason Cox.

Collingwood is already without high-profile recruit Daniel McStay and first-choice ruck Darcy Cameron.

GWS has injury concerns of its own after captain Toby Greene missed last week's loss against the Western Bulldogs and will need to prove his fitness before being a confirmed starter.