Daniel Wells is at least a month away from returning to Collingwood’s lineup as he recovers from a calf injury.

"Wellsy has a slight strain in his gastroc(nemius), so we don’t really have a number on that, but (he will be out for) about a month minimum," coach Nathan Buckley said on Thursday.

The former Kangaroo has a history of calf injuries which interrupted his 14-year stint at North Melbourne, and he has only played six games in his first season at the Magpies.

"It happens when you get towards the end of your career," Buckley said.

"You can’t trust (your body) as much as you used to in the past."

"He looked like he was just not covering the ground quite as well (in) the last two or three weeks," he said.

"He was doing really well, so we look to the back third of the season and want to get him up for that."

Wells was one of three players hurt in Collingwood’s 20-point victory over Fremantle last week, with Jamie Elliott (ankle) and Tyson Goldsack (shoulder) also sustaining injuries.

Buckley said small forward Elliott was "anywhere from one to four" weeks away from recovering from the ankle injury, while Goldsack may be ready to return to face Port Adelaide in round 14 after the Magpies' upcoming bye.



Daniel Wells is averaging 18 disposals from six senior games this season.