Collingwood are confident superstar Nick Daicos will be available for the club's next game following an injury concern that saw the midfielder subbed out in Monday's win over Melbourne.
Daicos' day against the Demons was brought to an abrupt close during the fourth term after copping a knock to his shin, with the 21-year-old coming from the field and gaining medical treatment from club staff.
Replays showed the knee of Demon Alex Neal-Bullen making contact with Daicos' lower leg as he looked to contest the Magpie's kick forward.
Collingwood soon made their sub change and decided to pull Daicos from the remaining minutes in the game due to the ailment.
The call also saw Daicos end his evening with a season-low 15 disposals, having tried to deal with Neal-Bullen's close tag for the entirety of the game.
Speaking after the club's 38-point King's Birthday win, coach Craig McRae said Daicos is expected to feature against North Melbourne in Round 14 despite the injury.
"Nick has taken us to new levels at centre bounces and other parts," the premiership coach started.
"He got tagged heavily and then he got a corky in his shin, so he will be fine. It is up to others to step up.
"I wouldn't have thought (he's in doubt), just listening to his words."
The Magpies have a six-day turnaround until their bout with the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium and are unlikely to regain any key names from injury despite their long list of absentees.
Collingwood are scheduled for a bye come Round 15, which will prove opportune as the likes of Jordan De Goey (abdominal), Scott Pendlebury (bicep), Brody Mihocek (hamstring) and Joe Richards (foot) each look to return from their respective rehabilitation after the break.
Fringe forward Reef McInnes made his return from concussion protocols over the weekend in the VFL and could be considered for the game against North Melbourne to pair with Nathan Kreuger, who kicked three goals in his first AFL game in over 400 days on Monday.
