INJURED Collingwood midfielder Luke Ball has admitted he was frustrated by suggestions he might sue his football club, after Magpie medicos sent him back onto the field in Friday night's loss to Carlton.

The 27-year-old arrived for his knee reconstruction at Melbourne's Epworth Hospital on Tuesday afternoon after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the hefty loss to the Blues.

Ball left the field early with a knee injury before returning, but lasted only 17 minutes before the ACL injury.

Despite media conjecture Collingwood had failed in its duty of care by sending Ball back onto the field, the ex-Saint said he never considered suing the Magpies.

"They're just non-stories - it's a waste of everyone's time," Ball told AFL.com.au in response to the speculation.

On Saturday, Pies football manager Geoff Walsh denied Ball was forced by the club to return to the field after Ben Reid was earlier subbed off with injury.

"There was no pressure [to go back on] and, like always, there was no immediate call by our staff until they have a chance to assess it," he said.

However, he could not say if returning to the field after the initial injury had led to the ACL rupture.

Ball also wasn't sure whether it was the first or second incident in which he sustained the severe knee injury.

"I don't know, I'm not a doctor, all I know is I've got full faith and confidence in our medical stuff," he said.

"I think it was just one of those unlucky nights for me, it was Friday the 13th - so I think I'll be pretty superstitious from now on."

Out of contract at season's end, Ball is confident he can bounce back and play good footy in the future.

"I've a got a few good examples in my old [St Kilda] team-mate Lenny [Hayes], and obviously a few mates unfortunately down at the club who have suffered the same thing this year, so we'll all work together pretty hard to make sure we get back," he said.

He said he was looking forward to getting the surgery over and done with, and was stoked with the public well-wishes.

"[I am] pretty keen to get in and get out," he said.

"It is a bit overwhelming, it's great to get so much support. That's why I love the game so much I guess."

Matt Thompson is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @MattThompsonAFL

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.