Jeremy Howe on modified training program but confident he’ll feature in pre-season competition

COLLINGWOOD star Jeremy Howe has re-signed with the club and despite being on a modified training program because of a calf problem, is confident he will play some pre-season matches before Round.

Jeremy Howe is on a modified training program but expects to be fit for pre-season matches next month. Picture: Michael Klein

COLLINGWOOD high-flyer Jeremy Howe expects to be “fit and firing” for the club’s first pre-season match next month, despite a lingering calf complaint that has him on a modified training program.

Howe admitted he was a “little bit grumbly” that he was forced to back off his training load after the club’s camp on the Gold Coast last month, but has little doubt he would be ready for the JLT Community Series.

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“I’m still trying to build the blocks up to try and get into full training,” Howe said.

“The match sim stuff has ramped right up so I need to get back into it as soon as I can.

“Our first JLT’s not for another four weeks and second one’s five (weeks). So I think well and truly I’ll be fit and firing and ready to go for that.”

Jeremy Howe is on a modified training program but expects to be fit for pre-season matches next month. Picture: Michael Klein

Howe, who has signed a three-year contract extension, is one of a few Magpies on modified training programs.

Forward-turned-defender Darcy Moore (achilles), Jamie Elliott (ankle), Levi Greenwood (knee) and Alex Fasolo (shoulder) are on the comeback trail, the latter three having surgery last year.

“We’ve got a few (injured) that ideally we’d like to be out there, but in saying that everyone’s progressed quite well,” Howe said.

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“With Darcy going into a new role you’d like him to be in full training all the time, but he’s progressing well and I don’t think there are any real concerns at this stage.”

Howe, who played 100 games for Melbourne before joining Collingwood for the 2016 season, has effectively become a Magpie for life with his new deal, which ties him to the club until the end of 2021.

Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore watch on as Collingwood players compete in an intra-club hitout. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The 27-year-old said while the role in defence he’s played since making the move to Collingwood had not been what he had expected it had brought about some of the most consistent football of his career.

“I came here with the clear intention to play that mid-forward role and it obviously worked out a little bit differently but I’ve really enjoyed the last two seasons with the Pies,” he said.

“I definitely grabbed it and feel like I probably put together my most consistent 24 months of footy.”

Collingwood meets Greater Western Sydney in its opening pre-season match on March 1.