Darcy Moore is a chance to return against Essendon on Friday night but Collingwood will again be without Jordan De Goey, who will enter the finals without having played in seven weeks.

Meanwhile the finals-bound Bombers could be without veteran David Zaharakis for the remainder of the season after scans confirmed the midfielder needs surgery to repair a syndesmosis injury in his ankle.

Injured Magpie Darcy Moore (left) with coach Nathan Buckley. Credit:AAP

Key defender Moore hasn't played since the Pies' round 17 win over West Coast because of a hamstring injury, but is in contention to take on the Dons at the MCG on Friday night. Moore will need to get through training on Wednesday before being given the green light for a match the Pies must win to keep their hopes of a double chance alive.

Daniel Wells (knee) could also be given a last roll of the dice in a VFL fixture against Box Hill. The out-of-contract 34-year-old hasn't played since May, and with the Pies missing the VFL finals this weekend looms as his final chance to push his case for an AFL recall.