At least a quartet of Magpies players were absent from Wednesday's training session at the AIA Centre, with a bout of flu understood to have hit the club just days out from their highly-anticipated clash with Sydney.

The illness has hampered Craig McRae's squad throughout the course of the 2022 season, seeing several key players sidelined during the opening half of the year.

The health concern has only compounded the club's ongoing battle with injuries and illness, with its impact also managing to affect almost every club this year.

It seems the Magpies mightn't have avoided the bug for the last time, withย 7 News' Tom Browne reporting on Wednesday that star forward Jamie Elliott was among four players absent from training this week due to illness.

Trio Josh Carmichael, Beau McCreery and Isaac Chugg have also been listed as battling the flu, with their ailment understood not to be COVID-related.

Collingwood are yet to confirm the extent of the worry, which comes just days out from their trip to face the Swans on Sunday.

The Magpies will need to assess Will Hoskin-Elliott this week ahead of their final selection, with the ex-Giant subbed out of Friday's win over Melbourne due to a corked back.

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The setback was the only injury noted from the Round 22 victory, while the likes of Jack Madgen, Ollie Henry and Callum Brown are pressing their case for a reprieve after stints in the VFL.

Star midfielder Taylor Adams remains at least another two weeks away from returning from an adductor issue, while ruckman Brodie Grundy has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle issue.

Recruit Nathan Kreuger is in line for a potential finals return this year after being placed on the long-term injury list midway through the season due to a shoulder issue.

The Magpies will venture to NSW ahead of Sunday's matchup with Sydney at the SCG, which will begin at 3:20pm (AEST).