Although Jordan De Goey has served his club-imposed suspension, Collingwood is still weighing up whether to immediately recall the 21-year-old to the senior team for the massive clash against Carlton.

With running defender Travis Varcoe to miss with a hamstring injury, a spot is available in the team that defeated Geelong on Sunday.

However, All-Australian defender Ben Reid is also in the frame after being rested last week and Rupert Wills showed good form in the VFL last Saturday.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said De Goey had served his penance for lying to the club about how he broke his hand on the eve of the season and his attitude had been good since the incident.

Buckley said it was matter of whether his inclusion would give the team the best chance to win. 

"Jordy has attacked what has been asked of him from the football club with everything in his power," he said. 

"He's ticked every box that we have asked him to look at.

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"We're not going to hold him in the shackles for any longer than he needs to be, but he's suitably chastened … we don't need to whip him any further.

"He'll be available for selection if we think it suits the side now."

Buckley said Reid was likely to play back if he rejoined the team but Lynden Dunn's performance at full back against the Cats had given the selection committee something to think about. 

He said they would not be robbing Peter to pay Paul as the defence had been functioning well with Reid in the backline.

"You want to maximise each player's strengths and for mine Reid's an All-Australian defender and if he is not our best tall defender he is very close to it," Buckley said.


"We have had some very strong performances in that part of the field … we won't be undoing a part of the ground that has been pretty strong for us to fix another if we believe that there is other alternatives we want to have a look at first.

"If we bring him back in (Reid) will play down back."

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Collingwood's clash with arch-rival Carlton is a key part of the Magpies' 125th celebrations with Buckley well aware of the importance of the occasion.

"Our main contribution will be performing for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon," Buckley said.