Dayne Beams back at Collingwood training as Jeremy Howe aims for JLT Series return following surgery

Collingwood high-flyer Jeremy Howe has gone under the knife again, but is still expecting to play in the Pies’ last JLT Cup game, as does returning favourite son Dayne Beams.

Jeremy Howe hopes to play in Collingwood’s last JLT Cup game, despite a surgery setback. Picture: Getty Images

Collingwood high-flyer Jeremy Howe will aim to return from a second bout of quadriceps surgery in the club’s final JLT preseason game against Carlton.

The gun defender went under the knife again last week to fix a rare bleeding problem stemming from a heavily corked thigh last year.

Howe missed four late-season matches with the corkie last season and copped a hit from teammate Darcy Moore in the same spot at training earlier this month.

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Jeremy Howe hopes to play in Collingwood’s last JLT Cup game, despite a surgery setback. Picture: Getty Images

While Howe, 28, has been frustrated by the latest setback, the ace interceptor is hopeful of playing some match time against the Blues in the preseason fixture on Monday, March 11 in Morwell.

But the former Demon is at risk of suffering more complications if he cops another knock in the same area, meaning Howe will likely play with some protective padding.

The club remains confident he will be available to play in the blockbuster season-opener against Geelong at the MCG in five weeks’ time.

Howe said the debilitating contusion last year was “half the size of a fist in my quad” and left the star defender feeling like an “80-90 year-old”.

“I was limping to the bathroom, I couldn’t sleep without pain killers and I was having (anti)inflamms all day, every day,” Howe said.

Dayne Beams was a welcome sight on the track at Collingwood training.

Star midfielder Dayne Beams may also make his comeback for Collingwood in the same match against the Blues after making his return to training today.

Beams missed training last week and was absent from the team photo day due to illness.

But the All-Australian midfielder, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Tuesday, rejoined teammates for some skills work and light running at Holden Centre.

His return today is a welcome sight for the Magpies only one week out from a scheduled scratch match on Friday, February 22 at 10am, the same day as the AFLX tournament.

The Pies handed over two first-round draft picks in the trade period to secure Beams in a massive boost to their premiership hopes this season.

The All-Australian is one of the best midfielders in the competition and his ability to win clearances and hit the scoreboard gives Nathan Buckley another A-grade ball-user to swing through the midfield and forward line.

However, Beams has had a slightly interrupted preseason because of last week’s illness and a back issue which he has managed for the bulk of his 168-game career.

Friendly fire left Brodie Grundy with a toe injury and he was forced to train away from the main group. Picture: AAP

Ruckman Brodie Grundy trained away from the main group as he recovers from a toe injury sustained when he was stepped on by teammate Jordan Roughead.

Grundy will likely miss the Pies’ practice match against the Demons and superstar ruckman Max Gawn next Friday.

Matchwinner Jordan De Goey (ankle) also completed some running away from the main group alongside Travis Varcoe and Will Hoskin-Elliott.

Daniel Wells continues to progress steadily after missing the bulk of last year with a serious foot injury, but will start the season in the VFL

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