Collingwood will welcome back Jordan De Goey for Saturday night's clash with Brisbane at Etihad Stadium, but a number of other key players remain under an injury cloud.
Ben Reid will also return via the VFL, but Jeremy Howe is still doubtful, while Tyson Goldsack's long-awaited comeback has been further delayed due to a back issue.
Having been set to return to the VFL last week after a remarkable recovery from an ACL injury sustained in March, Goldsack now remains a week-by-week proposition.
It's another blow for Collingwood's depleted defence, which has lost Howe and Darcy Moore to injury in its last two defeats to Richmond and Sydney respectively.
However, in some much-needed good news on the injury front, De Goey will play this week.
Sporting a new blonde mohawk at training on Thursday, De Goey played as a deep forward during the club's match simulation as he returns from bone stress in his lower leg.
Buckley is confident De Goey will be fit to play wherever he is needed against the Lions.
"He's got a terrible haircut, but he's fit to go," Buckley said.
"He will be fit to play whatever role he is asked to play.
"He was in pretty good form before we offloaded him two weeks ago, that was probably 50 per cent forward and 50 per cent midfield.
"We won't hesitate to use him in any role. He's kept his fitness up off-legs and we'll just progress as per normal."
That haircut! (Photo: Luke Henry)
Howe didn't train on Thursday, having missed last weekend's loss to Sydney after receiving a concussion the week earlier.
However, Buckley revealed the star defender is also battling a bad corkie.
"We'll give him every chance, all the way up to Saturday," Buckley said.
"He received a cork about 10 minutes before the hit in the Richmond game. He didn't come up last week and he struggled through the early part of this week.
"We'll give him every chance, but if he's not fit – he doesn't play."
In good news for the Pies, midfielder James Aish will return to the selection frame after three solid weeks in the VFL following his recovery from a knee injury sustained in April.
Aish had been in good form prior to hurting his knee in round six, but has collected 22, 21 and 17 disposals in his last three VFL matches to stake his claim for a place in the team.
"He's put a power of work in off the back of his PCL injury earlier this year," Buckley said.
"He was playing some really good footy for us through pre-season and earlier in the year. He's looking forward to re-establishing himself and playing a role for the side."
