Jeremy Howe closing on Collingwood debut after escaping VFL suspension

COLLINGWOOD recruit Jeremy Howe is closing on his AFL comeback after escaping VFL suspension at the weekend.

Jeremy Howe in action during Collingwood Magpies training at the Holden Centre on Thursday, March 31, 2016, in Melbourme, Victoria, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

COLLINGWOOD recruit Jeremy Howe is closing on his AFL comeback after escaping VFL suspension at the weekend.

The former Demon was reported for an off the ball incident with Geelong’s Jed Bews on Saturday but was cleared by the league on Monday.

Howe, 25, will train this week in attempt to press his case for senior selection against St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday, ahead of a potentially emotional clash against his former side, Melbourne, on Sunday week.

The high-flying goal kicker has put pressure on Magpies’ mobile tall Corey Gault, who had only four possessions in the last-gasp win over Richmond on Friday night.

Howe, who hurt his foot and finger in the preseason, would be Collingwood’s third new recruit to debut this season.

Ex-Lion James Aish had 10-possessions in his Magpies’ debut on Friday night while Adam Treloar continued his excellent start to the season, gathering 32 possessions.

Jeremy Howe is yet to wear the black and white after moving from Melbourne.

Treloar, who turned down the chance to cross to Richmond in last year’s trade period, has made an instant impact for his new side, registering a career-high 682m gained against the Tigers, according to Champion Data.

The Collingwood players had a light run on Monday ahead of Saturday’s clash with St Kilda.

Injured duo Jamie Elliot and Travis Varcoe ran laps as they continued their recovery from back and hamstring injuries.

Magpies football manager Neil Balme said Varcoe was probably only a week away from a return having missed the club’s opening two clashes.

“I think he may come up short for this weekend. He’s more likely to play the weekend after,” Balme told the club website.

“Jamie Elliot is going very well with his rehab but he is certainly still long term and has a lot of work to do to get back.”

Balme said Brownlow medallist Dane Swan would have surgery tomorrow (Wednesday), 10 days after he suffered three broken bones in his foot, including a Lisfranc fracture, in Collingwood’s Round 1 loss to Sydney.

Swan won’t play again this season and his future beyond this year remains in limbo until after his surgery which will determine the severity of his injury.