‘Full strength’ Collingwood faces selection headaches

Collingwood is set to tackle a winless Carlton at “full strength” this Thursday despite one of its stars suffering a training injury during the week.

Collingwood is facing “some headaches” at the selection table ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Carlton after coach Craig McRae declared his side full strength.

Brody Mihocek will return from back soreness while McRae says there is “no reason” why Dan Houston won’t play despite breaking his nose in a tackling drill in the Magpies’ week off.

Billy Frampton is a chance to replace Reef McInnes (ACL) but is among a group of players pushing for senior selection.

“We’re full strength in terms of personnel available,” McRae said.

“Unfortunately Reef (McInnes) will be out, and a couple others as well, but we’ll have some headaches at selection.

“Billy Frampton is in great form and had great spirits about him … he’s definitely had a great pre-season, he’s been walking around with his hand up all week.

“Dan (Houston) unfortunately got a stray elbow in a fundamental tackling drill and he broke his nose … he’s fine, he doesn’t have any ongoing symptoms and trained well.”

Collingwood star Dan Houston will play this Thursday despite breaking his nose at training. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/Getty Images

McRae says there is a “finals like feel” about the Blues with nearly 100,000 expected to roll to the MCG.

Collingwood has a chance to reduce its arch nemesis to a 0-4 start to the season but McRae is taking the Blues for their best as opposed to their form.

“We play opposition according to what they represent and their (Carlton) best is very, very good,” he said.

“We don’t play opposition on ladder position, we’re expecting Carlton to be at their best, zip and three is a big number and we’re looking forward to what’s coming.

“There is a sense of finals like feel about it, maybe because we’ve had a bye as well – we’re well aware its round 4 but there is a big build up to this game.

“I just love winning, we’re in the business to win, high performance and this is just another opposition.

“There’s always a slightly different lean towards this game and we won’t shy away from that.”