Daniel Wells has been named to make his Collingwood debut when the Magpies meet Essendon in Tuesday's traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster at the MCG.

The 31-year-old joins Mason Cox and Tom Phillips as the three inclusions in Nathan Buckley's line up.

They replace omitted trio Jarryd Blair, Josh Smith and Jesse White.

Smith remains in contention to play as one of the side's three emergencies, alongside Matthew Scharenberg and Josh Daicos.

It marks the end of a long and arduous wait for Wells, who has gradually increased his training load in recent weeks. He won 17 disposals and three clearances in the VFL against Coburg last week.

Wells will wear the No. 3 jumper previously worn by the recently retired Brent Macaffer.

For Cox, meanwhile, it marks a return to senior football for the first time since round one.

He famously made his AFL debut on the ANZAC Day stage 12 months ago, kicking a goal with his first kick as the Magpies went on to win by 69 points.

Essendon v Collingwood
Round 5 2017
Tuesday 25 April
MCG, 3.20pm

Collingwood
B: Jeremy Howe, Henry Schade, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Jackson Ramsay, Ben Reid, Brayden Maynard
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Daniel Wells
HF: Travis Varcoe, Darcy Moore, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Alex Fasolo, Mason Cox, Jamie Elliott
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams
Int: Levi Greenwood, Tom Phillips, Jack Crisp, Tim Broomhead
Emg: Matthew Scharenberg, Josh Daicos, Josh Smith

IN: Daniel Wells, Tom Phillips, Mason Cox
OUT: Jarryd Blair, Jesse White, Josh Smith
NEW: Daniel Wells (32, North Melbourne)