Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is on track to take on the Western Bulldogs in round one but teammate Taylor Adams is still facing a race against time to overcome a hamstring injury.
Both players missed Friday's practice match against Geelong.
However, Magpies assistant coach Hayden Skipworth confirmed De Goey will return from a minor ankle injury in next week's pre-season hit-out with Richmond.
Skipworth is less certain about All-Australian midfielder Adams, who suffered a setback earlier this month after coming off a career-best 2020 campaign.
"We took the safe route with (De Goey) because he's such an important player for us," Skipworth said.
"Taylor had a hamstring that was probably a bit more than a three-weeker, so he'll be pushing for round one.
"We expect him to play, hopefully he's available for the Richmond hit-out.
"If not, he'll have a good hit-out on the track and prep himself that way. But hopefully we can get them both back next week."
Collingwood dismissed concerns over Scott Pendlebury (corked knee) and Brody Mihocek (calf), who were hurt during the Geelong clash and finished the match on the bench icing their injuries.
Skipworth was particularly impressed by draftee Ollie Henry, who provided a bit of "X-factor" in the forward line against the Cats to thrust his name into the mix for a round-one spot, and was also full of praise for Brodie Grundy.
The 26-year-old former All-Australian ruckman was below his best last year during Collingwood's long interstate hub stint but has impressed his coaches over the summer.
Jeremy Howe got through unscathed against Geelong on his return from a long-term knee injury alongside fellow talls Jordan Roughead and Darcy Moore in defence.
"He's only just come back into the fold," Skipworth said of the returning Howe.
"As you saw last year when he went out of the side, he's such an important piece to our defence and the way we move the ball as well.
"He's going to be an important cog that we need to get some game time into, and that Richmond game is going to be crucial."
