AFL: Injured Collingwood pair Nathan Kreuger and Beau McCreery to miss next month but Mason Cox available

Collingwood will have to make at least two changes to its unbeaten squad after receiving some bad injury news.

Nathan Kreuger will have to wait to add to his debut game for Collingwood after sustaining a shoulder injury. Picture: Getty Images

Unbeaten Collingwood has lost Nathan Kreuger and Beau McCreery for the next month but regains Mason Cox from his ankle setback for Saturday night’s clash with Geelong.

Kreuger, who kicked two goals on debut, suffered a left shoulder subluxation in Saturday’s win over Adelaide, while post-match scans confirmed McCreery sustained a hip flexor muscle tear.

Magpies high performance manager Jarrod Wade said they would take a “conservative” approach to former Cat Kreuger’s rehabilitation.

“There’s a small amount of damage in that shoulder but nothing too serious to require surgery right now,” Wade said.

Nathan Kreuger is set for a month on the sidelines. Picture: Getty Images

“It’ll be some conservative management for ‘Kreugs’ ... he’s got some sore spots, but he’s got good function and movement in his shoulder.”

McCreery’s injury is uncommon among AFL footballers and his best-case scenario is missing the next three matches.

But Cox is training fully again and looms as a like-for-like replacement for Kreuger.

Prime mover Taylor Adams is showing no lingering effects from a second exercise-induced migraine this year, the latest causing him to sit out most of the last quarter against the Crows.

Important defender Jordan Roughead could also return in round 5 after pre-season shoulder surgery.

“He progressed through contact towards the back end of last week and pulled up really well,” Wade said.

Scans revealed Beau McCreery suffered a hip flexor muscle tear. Picture: Getty Images

“We can narrow the time frame a little bit now ... we will look to return him to full contact next week.

“So that’s round 4 and he’ll look to be available round 5 or round 6.”

Nathan Murphy (ankle dislocation) is out of his moon boot and could be back playing within five weeks, but rookie-listed defender Charlie Dean (toe) is in the early stages of his recovery.

Isaac Chugg (abdominal cork) will be monitored throughout the week after copping a knee to the stomach in the VFL at the weekend.