Nick Daicos is off crutches and Collingwood say the young superstar's recovery from a knee injury is ahead of schedule.
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Brownlow Medal favourite until being injured, Daicos has missed the Magpies' past two games and initially expected him to be sidelined until preliminary final weekend.
But Collingwood are optimistic the 20-year-old can play a role in their tilt at the premiership and will give an updated timeline on his return in "coming weeks".
"Nick Daicos is off crutches ahead of schedule in his knee injury rehab," Magpies high performance boss Jarrod Wade said.
"The young midfielder has started bike, gym, and pool-based exercises and is expected to start running in the next fortnight."
In further good news for the Pies, they are set to regain star midfielder Jordan De Goey (glute) and small forward Bobby Hill (hamstring) for Friday night's clash with Essendon.
The pair, along with captain Darcy Moore and Daicos, sat out the 24-point defeat to the Brisbane Lions last Friday.
Moore is making "strong progress" after hurting his hamstring in the round-22 win over Geelong.
"(Moore) is back to around 80-85 per cent running speed and could participate in match simulation in the bye week before finals," Wade said.
"Moore is on track to be available for selection for the first week of finals."
Australian Associated Press
