Collingwood will relish the chance to test its credentials against North Melbourne on Sunday, according to Magpies coach Nathan Buckley. 

The Magpies sit fifth on the ladder with five wins but are likely to start as underdogs despite the Roos sitting 12th on the ladder with four wins. 

The Pies are yet to play a team that finished in the top four last season and have recorded wins against the Brisbane Lions, St Kilda, Carlton, Essendon and Gold Coast.

They were also competitive in recent losses against Richmond and Geelong and their injury list is thinning.

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"It's a massive test for us," Buckley said. 

"We're expecting a really fiery contest. We're expecting that North will want to put a stamp on their season as well."

Buckley said he was noting real growth in the team's ability to move the ball and the synergy between teammates on the ground.

"In some areas it is going to really test us. In others there are opportunities for us to take advantage of," Buckley said.   

However he conceded it was always going to be hard to measure exactly where the team sat in relation to the rest of the competition.

"We need to perform well against the best opposition and we're still yet to prove that," Buckley said. 

The Magpies are hopeful key defender Jack Frost will be available against North Melbourne but said he will need every minute of the eight-day break to prove his fitness.

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Defender Alan Toovey is also likely to have recovered from a jarred knee that forced him to miss last week's win over Gold Coast.

Ben Reid and Clinton Young will also return via the VFL and play reduced game-time.

"Their application in here has been first class and when guys end up putting that much work in you want to see them rewarded," Buckley said.