Collingwood midfielder Steele Sidebottom believes missing last week's win over Greater Western Sydney will benefit his body as the Magpies prepare for an assault on September.

Proving that even the most durable of players sometimes need a rest, Sidebottom was absent from last Saturday's game after feeling quad tightness earlier in the week. 

Before last week, the 21-year-old had missed just one match through injury in his 77-game career.

He said the enforced break had "definitely" done him good as the season neared its end.

"I think a week off any time is always going to help and I hadn't missed a game [this year] up until then so a freshen up is always good," Sidebottom said on Friday, ahead of Saturday night's clash with St Kilda.

"It's always hard to sit on the sidelines and watch but at the same time, if it can help me finish off the season a little bit stronger I suppose it's the best thing."

Sidebottom travelled to Sydney last week with the team to be part of the Pies' preparation to face the Giants.

"I pretty much did everything they did apart from play the game," he said.

"Whatever they did, I did, so I didn't miss much, just the game.

"I was a little bit tight early on the week, and taking the risks out of it, I had a light week and I'll be right to go [against the Saints]."

Sidebottom is one of five inclusions for the Pies this week with Harry O'Brien, Darren Jolly, Dale Thomas and Sharrod Wellingham also returning.

He said the clash with the Saints signalled what the Pies could consider the start of their assault leading into the finals with just four games to go after this round. 

He also said it was a bit of a relief for the team to be somewhat out of the spotlight compared to this time last year when the Pies were being talked up as flag favourites.

"There's nothing you can do about the past so from here on in we're just concentrating on our form and if we can keep taking steps, then hopefully it holds us in good stead at the right end of the season," he said.

"It's a good thing to not have [the spotlight] on you but at the same time we haven't reached our peak yet and I suppose a lot of teams don't want to reach their peak now because there's a few rounds to go."
 
Wellingham returns after last playing in round 15 against Carlton when a heavy bump on Kade Simpson broke the midfielder's jaw and cost the premiership Pie three weeks.

He has spent his time off under the close watch of sports science director David Buttifant, who pushed him through fitness regimes designed to replicate the intensity of games.

"I think he's been through a few tough sessions in the gym and out on the track as well so he'll be chomping at the bit to get back out there and put his best foot forward," Sidebottom said.

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

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