Collingwood coacg Craig McRae provided some good news and some bad news to the Magpies faithful after Sunday's loss to Sydney, with star midfielder Jordan De Goey likely to play in the mix for his side's massive Round 23 clash against Calrton, whilst forward jack Ginnivan seems set to miss.

McRae revealed on Sunday that De Goey was having trouble with a hip flexor issue, and decided to take the safe route of leaving him out of the squad with finals time so close.

"He pulled up quite sore after training Friday, we gave him some time to get up but he just wasn't improving," the Collingwood coach told media.

"It's just a tight hip flexor. Are we confident he plays next week? Somewhat, we will have to see how he goes in training.

"There is a lot to lose at this time of year, if you put out a guy not at 100 per cent, you can do some damage. There is a bit to play out this week."

Meanwhile,ย Ginnivan was substituted out of the game during half-time due to a hamstring issue that was persisting throughout the second quarter.

The expectation around the club is that the livewire small-forward won't be ready for Sunday's clash against Carlton, but should be ready for the first weekend of finals.

"He played the last ten minutes of the second quarter with a tight hamstring, and even kicked a goal with it," McRae said.

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"We'll work through that during the week and see what it is, but it's pretty unlikely that he'll play next week."

With Ginnivan unlikely to play, it paves the way for a couple of young Pies to enter selection talks to be in the squad for the final round of the home-and-away season.

Oliver Henry is a likely candidate who adds an extra bit of height into the Pies forward line, however went goalless in a three-point loss in the VFL to Sydney on Sunday.

Finlay Macrae is possibly next in line to earn a call-up, after putting in a best-on-ground performance for the Pies' VFL yesterday.

McRae collected 30 disposals, nine clearances and two goals, showing that he can be a ball magnet as well as provide some offensive spark if required.

Another option but somewhat unlikely would be Caleb Poulter.

Poulter has struggled to find his way in the team after an impressive debut season in 2021, and has only managed to play one senior game in 2022.

However, the midfielder collected 22 touches in Sunday's match and was the main man in this incredible passage of play by Collingwood's VFL side.

Collingwood will be hosted by Carlton at the MCG on Sunday afternoon in what promises to be a mouthwatering match that will have a big impact on how the first week of finals is shaped.