Five changes have been made for Collingwood’s clash with the GWS Giants on Saturday afternoon.

Three players return from injury and two have been elevated from the VFL, while five unlucky Magpies will miss for various reasons.

Alex Fasolo and Taylor Adams will make their highly anticipated returns from injury.

Neither have been sighted on the field since round 10, but Nathan Buckley today told the media they would be difficult to leave out.

“They’ve proved their fitness,” the coach said.

“They’re pretty important players for us… we’ve had some pretty good continuity and some good performers at the top level now over the last couple of weeks.

“To add those two boys to the list is pretty good.”

VIDEO - Watch the raw footage of Nathan Buckley's Thursday press conference.

Jonathon Marsh receives a vote of confidence with an automatic AFL selection after missing last week with a calf injury, while Jesse White and Brent Macaffer will also travel North.

The pair have been outstanding at VFL level in recent weeks. Macaffer starred a fortnight ago against Richmond, while White had 32 disposals and took 12 marks in a best-on-ground performance against the Northern Blues last week.

Director of Football Neil Balme told Collingwood Media both players were willing recipients of a recall to the AFL team.

“He (Macaffer) has worked very hard in the VFL to give himself an opportunity. He’s a popular pick amongst the players,” Balme said.

“Jesse as well has been in and out a little bit… Every time he’s gone back to the VFL, he’s been quite outstanding.”

At the expense of the five inclusions are three omitted players and two more who will this week be managed and take a week off competitive football.

Tyson Goldsack, Tom Phillips and Marley Williams are likely to play for the VFL Magpies against North Ballarat on Sunday as Dale Tapping’s side chases its seventh consecutive victory.

Meanwhile Mason Cox and Levi Greenwood will use the week to refresh and recuperate.

“(Cox) has exceeded anything we’ve expected so far. It’s a bit of a toll on him and we’ll give him a week off,” Balme said.

“Levi is also being managed. He’s done a heap of work as well.”

Collingwood will hold a training session on Spotless Stadium on Friday afternoon before taking on the Giants at 1.40pm on Saturday.

Round 16
GWS Giants v Collingwood
Saturday 9 July, 2016
Spotless Stadium, NSW
1.40pm

COLLINGWOOD TEAM

IN: Alex Fasolo, Brent Macaffer, Jesse White, Taylor Adams, Jonathon Marsh
OUT: Tyson Goldsack (omit), Tom Phillips (omit), Marley Williams (omit), Levi Greenwood (managed), Mason Cox (managed)

B: Jonathon Marsh, Nathan Brown, Jeremy Howe
HB: Taylor Adams, Ben Reid, Ben Sinclair
C: Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar, James Aish
HF: Alex Fasolo, Travis Cloke, Travis Varcoe
F: Darcy Moore, Jesse White, Jarryd Blair
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp
Int: Jordan De Goey, Brent Macaffer, Brayden Maynard, Josh Smith
Emg: Tyson Goldsack, Jarrod Witts, Marley Williams

GWS GIANTS TEAM

IN: Adam Kennedy, Jack Steele, Devon Smith, Adam Tomlinson
OUT: Nathan Wilson (groin), Matthew Kennedy (omit), Matt Buntine (hamstring), Ryan Griffen (hamstring)

B: Joel Patfull, Phil Davis, Heath Shaw
HB: Adam Kennedy, Zac Williams, Nick Haynes
C: Jack Steele, Stephen Coniglio, Tom Scully
HF: Jonathon Patton, Rory Lobb, Lachie Whitfield
F: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Steve Johnson
Foll: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Dylan Sheil
Int: Josh Kelly, Devon Smith, Adam Tomlinson, Rhys Palmer
Emg: Matthew Kennedy, Tom Downie, Harrison Himmelberg