Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is in doubt for the clash with St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday after succumbing to a lower-leg injury, while big man Mason Cox has already been ruled out.
However, the Magpies will welcome back gun midfielder Dayne Beams from a hip issue, while fellow runner Chris Mayne is over the head knock he copped in the win over Carlton and defender James Aish will be available after missing three games with concussion.
De Goey, who had an ice-pack strapped to his lower right leg after the win over Carlton on Saturday, left the training track early on Thursday.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said the matchwinner would be given every opportunity to prove his fitness.
"He's been battling with that lower-leg soreness for the majority of the year. We've been able to manage it pretty well (and) he's missed some sessions but we would have expected him to finish today's session, so the medicos will have a look at that," Buckley told reporters.
"At this stage we're likely to select him and give him a little bit more time."
The 23-year-old, who is again leading the Pies' goalkicking, last year battled lower-leg bone stress and was rested for two late-season games, but Buckley said the current ailment was a different problem.
"Whether he plays or not, we make that decision on a week-to-week basis. It's related but it's not bone stress," he said.
"Without giving you his full medical records, he's battling something at the moment but we think it's definitely been tracking in the right direction until this week. It's a bit sorer this week."
Cox, who injured his right ankle against Essendon on Anzac Day, will be sidelined for a second game. He completed individual running and stationary skills at training.
The second-placed Pies will also be without Jamie Elliott, who will miss the next month with another hamstring injury.
More to come