Collingwood has named five inclusions to an extended 25-man squad for its crucial round 20 clash against West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

Veteran midfielder Luke Ball leads the call-ups, joining Ben Kennedy, Clinton Young, Josh Thomas and Alan Toovey as inclusions for the clash which looms as potentially decisive in shaping Collingwood’s finals aspirations.

Taylor Adams, who has been ruled out for the season with a finger injury, and the omitted Kyle Martin comprise the only changes so far to the side which defeated Port Adelaide by six points last weekend.

Ostensibly a like-for-like replacement for Adams, Ball returns to the AFL fold following an impressive performance in the VFL, collecting 23 disposals, including four clearances, and laying 10 tackles in an 11-point win over Box Hill.

Having endured an interrupted second half of the season due to injury, Ball will be hoping to carry his form to the senior side, and bolster a midfield still missing the presence of prolific ball winner Dane Swan.

Fellow midfielder Thomas looms as another potential reinforcement through the middle of the ground, earning a reprieve after spending a fortnight in the VFL in a bid to recapture his form.

Recording 32 and 22 disposals in his last two matches, the Queenslander, who was ever present for the Magpies last season, advanced his claims for selection with his improved efficiency in possession highlighted.

Though no longer an unsung hero given Toovey has been singled out on countless occasions as among Collingwood’s most important players, the 27-year old’s absence has nonetheless perhaps been overlooked outside the Westpac Centre.

Sidelined for a fortnight with a back injury, Toovey is a welcome inclusion for the Magpies, with his versatility likely to prove crucial in combating West Coast’s dangerous forward line.

Kennedy’s selection represents ample reward for the South Australian after a dominant 38-possession performance, including 19 contested disposals at Box Hill City Oval.

Launching seven inside 50s and kicking two goals, Kennedy mounted a compelling case for his immediate return to the AFL side, shrugging off the disappointment of his omission last week to demonstrate his wares against the reigning VFL premiers.

Featuring in the VFL for the first time this season, Young’s class shone through as he stood a class above against a host of former team mates, his 36 possessions including five inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

His defensive work meanwhile received single praise from VFL coach Dale Tapping, which was borne out statistically as he laid seven tackles.

West Coast v Collingwood
Sunday 10 August
Patersons Stadium, 2.40pm (WST)

Collingwood
B: Marley Williams, Jack Frost, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Alan Toovey, Lachlan Keeffe, Heritier Lumumba
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Alex Fasolo
HF: Jarryd Blair, Jesse White, Tim Broomhead
F: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
Int (from): Sam Dwyer, Ben Kennedy, Luke Ball, Tony Armstrong, Clinton Young, Josh Thomas, Tom Langdon

IN: Luke Ball, Ben Kennedy, Josh Thomas, Alan Toovey, Clinton Young
OUT: Taylor Adams (finger), Kyle Martin (omitted)

West Coast
B: Shannon Hurn, Mitch Brown, Will Schofield
HB: Jamie Bennell, Eric Mackenzie, Xavier Ellis
C: Jamie Cripps, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Chris Masten, Jack Darling, Josh Hill
F: Scott Lycett, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Mark Hutchings, Luke Shuey
Int (from): Sam Butler, Dean Cox, Patrick McGinnity, Adam Carter, Jeremy McGovern, Dominic Sheed, Ashley Smith

IN: Dean Cox, Adam Carter, Ashley Smith
OUT: Nil