Watch the press conference on the club's YouTube channel.

COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has admitted speculation regarding his future had become a distraction.

Speaking after the Magpies trained at Gosch's Paddock on Friday, Malthouse said the uncertainty surrounding his role in 2012 threatened to draw focus away from Saturday's blockbuster with Carlton.

"It has been a distraction for two years, let's face it, because nothing is sorted, but we're a long way down the track…. the distractions are minimal and diminishing," Malthouse said.

"Of course, we're always going to look at the negatives or look at that 1 per cent or 2 per cent that may not be.

"I think I've said enough. We have to respect this game, a Collingwood-Carlton clash, 90,000 people … both sides in the top four, a very public rivalry, a very important game."

On Thursday night, Malthouse said on Channel Nine's The Footy Show that there was a small chance he could leave the Magpies if he or the club was unhappy with his new role as Collingwood director of coaching.

"There's a minimal chance I won't be at the football club," he said on Thursday night.

"I can't categorically say [I'll stay] ... there's two parties in this and they've got to come to an agreement that the role is right and it fits the club and aids it going forward."

On Friday, after the reigning premiers had enjoyed a brisk one hour training session, Malthouse was loathe to discuss his future beyond this season, instead trying to remain focussed on Saturday's massive clash with the fourth-placed Blues.

"My focus is immediate, and I won't be distracted by that, the playing group will not be distracted by it and the club won't be distracted by it," Malthouse said.

"[Both sides being in the top four] makes it an extremely important game. [It] keeps them in touch or keeps us well clear of them - that's the ramifications of a win or loss.

"It's a public rivalry … this is another game of football against a highly-credentialed side that has aspirations to eat into our win-loss record and give them a kick-start for the last part of the year towards the finals series. We'll try to dampen that."

With both clubs certain to play finals this season, Malthouse said the victor on Saturday would gain the psychological upper-hand if the teams were to meet in September.

"You have to have a respect for your opponent … every opponent has its own dangers, and we know Carlton has plenty of dangers. So we will treat them with the utmost respect and caution … they're not only in the top eight, but they're in the top four, so that's the added incentive if you like," he said.

"There's nothing stopping [the two sides] clashing again before the end of the year - so the psychological advantage is massive."

The Magpies coach went on to say his side would be ready for whatever the Blues would throw its way in front of a packed MCG.

"Our boys are always told - expect the unexpected," he said.

"Hopefully any surprises will be negated by [our] preparation."

Malthouse added injured Magpie star Alan Didak wasn't close to being selected for Saturday's game against Carlton, and was also in doubt for next week's clash against Gold Coast.