There is relief on the horizon for Collingwood, hit hard by a spate of injuries and running out of key position players, with Darcy Moore expected to return in the VFL this weekend.

The Magpies, whose key defender Lynden Dunn is out for the season, joining Daniel Wells and Adam Treloar among the recent long-term injured, also expect to regain forward Jamie Elliott in the VFL the weekend after next.

Moore has missed most of 2018 with hamstring problems.

Darcy Moore will return to footy via the VFL this week. Credit:AAP

The Pies view Moore as a potential replacement for Dunn, who was slated for a knee reconstruction on Tuesday after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, although the 22-year-old is much less experienced as a key back.