Collingwood star Josh Daicos is in a “race against the clock” to face off against old foes Essendon on Friday night, according to coach Craig McRae.
Daicos is fighting calf soreness, coming off the track early on Wednesday with the help of medicos.
The Pies will need to defeat the Bombers to stay in touch with the top four, especially after their 11-point loss to Gold Coast in round 16.
READ MORE: Aussie cult hero slides out of Paris Olympics picture
READ MORE: On court death of teen badminton star sparks fury
READ MORE: Transgender non-binary runner qualifies for Olympics
“He’s [in] a race against the clock,” McRae said on Wednesday.
“Josh looks a little proppy from my eyes, but I’m getting told we’ll give him every opportunity.”
Josh Daicos left the track early with calf soreness. Nine
Meantime, forward/ruck Darcy Cameron is under a fresh injury cloud.
He suffered a rib injury during training and also left the track early.
“Darcy got a knee in the ribs, I was right there umpiring. It didn’t look good,” McRae said.
In good news for Pies fans, Brayden Maynard is good to go after suffering a corky, while mid-season recruit Ned Long will make his debut.
McRae also backed in skipper Darcy Moore, after he came under fire for his 11 possessions against the Suns.
“I won’t go into detail, it was about some positioning stuff,” he said.
“He’s clearly not playing at a level where he has previously. We back him in and support him.”
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire noted how important their clash with the Bombers will be.
Collingwood slumped to an 11-point loss to the Suns. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“It’s such a big night for the Pies to put Essendon away and also stay in contention with the top four,” he said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
“If they drop that, suddenly every game becomes even more important.”
The Pies sit sixth on the ladder.