Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley addressed star wingman Dale Thomas’ season-ending ankle injury on Tuesday afternoon.

Buckley said that Thomas, who was yesterday ruled out for the remainder of the season, needed a tendon in his ankle repaired and will seek out second and third options being choosing his next course of action.

“He ticked all the boxes but 15-20 minutes in he couldn’t withstand the pressure of the game,” said Buckley in reference to Thomas’ ill-fated comeback in the VFL on Saturday.

“It’s clearly a concern for Daisy and for us. We’ll have more information in the next couple of days and we'll decide on the course of action beyond that.”

Buckley was adamant that Thomas’ contract is the least of his and the club’s concerns.

“There’s clearly a lot of focus on his contractual status but that hasn’t changed. We’re absolutely committed to Daisy beyond today.

“There's already been speculation and (opposition) clubs wouldn’t be doing their jobs if they weren't contacting management etcetera. We’re not overly concerned by that. Our focus is to medically sort him out.”

When the focus turned to issues other than Thomas’ ankle and future contract, Buckley told reporters that ruckman Darren Jolly has “pulled up pretty well” from his return in the VFL but stopped short of saying that he would be an automatic inclusion against West Coast this Friday night.

“To be honest, Brodie (Grundy) is our number one ruckman right now. His performances over the last month have been sensational.

“That doesn’t say that they can’t play together. That’s up to the match committee to decide.”

“(Brodie) has been letting his footy do the talking. He has been able to rise to the challenge continually. He seems to be getting better with every week. He’s a pretty level-headed kid who is hungry to improve.”

Buckley also named Alan Didak, Ben Kennedy, Adam Oxley and Kyle Martin as “legitimate options” to come into the side and replace the injured Jamie Elliott and Ben Sinclair.

He also said that the club expects Clinton Young to return from a hamstring injury in the VFL this Saturday and to play 75-80 per cent of the match.

“Never say never,” said Buckley of Young’s prospects of an unlikely return to the senior side this late in the season.

“If you’re up and about and playing good footy, well then you’re in with a chance.”