Star forward Jamie Elliott is targeting Collingwood's final pre-season game to return from an ankle injury as he races to be fit for round one.

Elliott underwent surgery on his left ankle last November after a period of rest in the off-season failed to fix the problem, which he pushed through late last season.   

The 25-year-old was slated for a return to full training in late January, but he is yet to join his teammates and is at the "back end" of a returning group of Magpies, including Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore. 

"Jamie may play the last JLT game," football manager Geoff Walsh told SEN.

"If you put a pecking order on players who are going to return and when we expect them to return … he is probably the one who is at the back end of that.

"He is running over ground and once the medical and conditioning people get them running over ground, it means they aren't too far away from joining the full footy program."

After Elliott played through the injury late last year, he and Collingwood received medical advice that the ankle would heal with a period of rest over the off-season.

However, after the star goalkicker returned to the club for a check-up in November and reported ongoing soreness, the decision was made to treat the problem with surgery.

Elliott led the Magpies goalkicking in 2017 with 34 goals from 17 games after overcoming a serious back injury.

Meanwhile, midfielder Daniel Wells is experiencing Achilles soreness and will join the rehab group for up to the next two weeks.

Walsh said the former North Melbourne star was still on track to play in the JLT Community Series and the injury was "maybe a sign of his loading because he has had a pretty consistent summer".

Defender Howe is also expected to feature in pre-season games as he approaches full fitness following a calf setback over the Christmas break, as is Alex Fasolo (shoulder) who has built his engine through rehab.

Walsh said young key tall Moore, who has started negotiations for a contract extension beyond this season, would join full training next week after an Achilles setback.