The inclusions of Luke Ball, Nick Maxwell and Jesse White will see more than 500 games of combined experience return to the side following last week's five-point loss to Gold Coast Suns.
Brodie Grundy has been omitted from the 25-man squad with the final line-up to be announced on Friday at 5pm.
Maxwell's return will considerably strengthen Collingwood's young defence.
Get set for Sunday's match with collingwoodfc.com.au's Ultimate Preview.
The former skipper, who has not played a senior game since he injured his calf against St Kilda five weeks ago. showed outstanding leadership in his first VFL game since 2005 last weekend and will be hoping to quickly return to the career-best form he displayed earlier in the season.
Maxwell will be joined by fellow veteran Luke Ball, who was sidelined for a week with a minor calf complaint.
The 30-year-old has played 13 of his side's 15 matches so far in 2014, averaging 18 disposals and five tackles to date.
After playing in defence for three quarters at VFL level last weekend, White is also in line for a return to the senior side where he may act as ruck back up for Jarrod Witts.
In the absence of leading goal kicker Jamie Elliott, the Magpies will be hoping that White’s inclusion will relieve some pressure from Travis Cloke, who was the target of 11 of Collingwood’s inside 50’s in round 16 (Dane Swan was ranked second, with four inside 50s targeted in his direction).
Young midfielder Tim Broomhead, who made his senior debut a month ago, has also been named in the squad.
Broomhead has responded well to his omission after two games as the substitute, gathering 41 possessions in the last two weeks in the VFL.
Midfield Development Coach Tarkyn Lockyer highlighted Broomhead as the VFL side’s most effective midfielder last week.
Read Tarkyn Lockyer's VFL Player Review now.
Winning seven clearances and five inside 50s, the young midfielder may prove a handy inclusion against Essendon on Sunday.
The final team will be announced at 5pm on Friday evening.
Essendon v Collingwood
Round 17
Sunday 13 July
MCG, 3.20pm
Collingwood
B: Tom Langdon, Jack Frost, Alan Toovey
HB: Marley Williams, Nick Maxwell, Heritier Lumumba
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Paul Seedsman
HF: Tyson Goldsack, Jesse White, Ben Kennedy
F: Jarryd Blair, Travis Cloke, Dane Swan
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
Int (from): Sam Dwyer, Luke Ball, Taylor Adams, Clinton Young, Lachlan Keeffe, Josh Thomas, Tim Broomhead
IN: Luke Ball, Tim Broomhead, Nick Maxwell, Jesse White
OUT: Brodie Grundy (omitted)
Essendon
B: Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker, Jason Winderlich
HB: Mark Baguley, Michael Hurley, Courtenay Dempsey
C: David Zaharakis, Heath Hocking, David Myers
HF: Paul Chapman, Joe Daniher, Jackson Merrett
F: Travis Colyer, Jake Carlisle, Patrick Ambrose
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Brent Stanton, Dyson Heppell
Int (from): Ben Howlett, Jake Melksham, Zach Merrett, Elliott Kavanagh, Orazio Fantasia, Nick O'Brien, Cory Dell'Olio
IN: Cory Dell'Olio, Orazio Fantasia, Dustin Fletcher, Elliott Kavanagh, Nick O'Brien
OUT: Brendon Goddard (suspension), Kyle Hardingham (omitted)
