Steele Sidebottom has set sail for a return from his broken thumb in the round seven blockbuster with Richmond.
The midfielder broke his thumb in the latter stages of Collingwood’s opening round of the 2015 season against Brisbane.
While maintaining a cautious approach, Sidebottom hopes to resume full training and return in two weeks’ time.
“My injury is getting better every day… best case would probably be Richmond,” Sidebottom told CollingwoodTV’s Team Sheet.
“That’s what we’re aiming for, but at the same time I’m probably not going to be rushing things back as well.”
Sidebottom’s rehab took an unexpected theme yesterday when he trained one handed with the main group. However he insists the majority of his recovery has involved running and gym work.
“I’ve been doing plenty of running with the other boys in the rehab group. In terms of weights I’ve just been putting the straps around my arms and not using my hand,” Sidebottom said.
Dane Swan hasn’t missed a game against Carlton since 2005.
The 240-game midfielder has been cleared to play against the Blues after spending the early stages of this week in a moonboot.
“I did what I needed to do so I’m looking forward to tomorrow night. It should be a good game, I love playing against the Blues,” Swan told Collingwood TV.
“I was a bit sore after last week’s game. It was all about rehab and managing my body and making sure I was right to go.”
Collingwood’s Director of Football Neil Balme used his weekly position on the Team Sheet’s panel to clarify the injury status of 19-year-old Darcy Moore.
“It’s quite serious because when they do the scans they find there’s some injury to the tendon that needs to be looked after,” Balme said.
“It’s not as bad as it could have been but we’ll have to be very careful to make sure that this doesn’t become that’s chronic for him. It’s quite sad, he’s been playing magnificent footy.”
Collingwood’s side for round five features just one change, with Patrick Karnezis replacing Tim Broomhead in the team.
Sidebottom outlines expected return
Steele Sidebottom has set sail for a return from his broken thumb in the round seven blockbuster with Richmond.