DALE Thomas and Heath Shaw head the list of up to four premiership players Collingwood may recall for Friday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Thomas, who like Shaw is coming back from a hamstring injury, ran laps with Chris Tarrant, who is set to play in the VFL next weekend.

Alan Didak, who has played three games in the VFL since overcoming a pre-season adductor strain, also trained on Tuesday, along with Ben Reid.

Director of football Geoff Walsh said Reid, Shaw and Thomas would have "fairly strong claims" to play this week, while Didak was a likely starter. 

"Alan should be available. He pulled up pretty well after last Saturday's VFL match," Walsh said.

"He's got a couple of games under his belt, performed OK and got a fair bit of the footy."

Dane Swan and Jarryd Blair were on light duties on Tuesday and left the track early but the Pies have another main session ahead of Friday night.

Walsh said Tarrant had made strong advances after he sustained a calf strain in round two.

"His last seven days, he's really got some traction in terms of his rehab program," he said.

"With a bit of luck, and if he continues to go that way, we think Chris will be able to play in our VFL team next week."

Meanwhile, the Magpies have had a solid rest after playing two games in five days.

Vice captain Scott Pendlebury said they had spent time away from the club and returned refreshed and motivated after back-to-back wins.

"Everyone got away for a few days and relaxed and we're about to start the main session so it will be good to see how the group's come back," Pendlebury said.

"That Port Adelaide game was a really big game for us and then to back up straight away against Essendon and get another result was really pleasing.

"We've got a little bit of momentum now and we want to keep that going Friday."

Pendlebury said Rodney Eade, Collingwood's football and coaching strategist and the former Western Bulldogs coach, would be an important weapon when planning for the Dogs.

"I think it's going to be quite significant for us, more finding out about individual match-ups and going to 'Rocket' and getting his insight into players," he said.

"I think that's up to the individual players for us to go and seek that feedback."

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.