COLLINGWOOD has upgraded American import Mason Cox to the senior list ahead of its must-win game against Melbourne on Sunday at the MCG.

Cox joined the Magpies in 2015 and was a solid performer at VFL level and played in the opening NAB Challenge game against Geelong in March.

He has been a good performer in the VFL and kicked one goal against Port Melbourne in the opening round of the VFL last Sunday, although he spent most of his time in the ruck.

The former basketballer from Oklahoma State University is 211 centimetres tall and kicked 17 goals in 19 games in the VFL in 2015, including six goals against Richmond.

If selected for the senior team, Cox could be a handy forward and back-up ruckman for Brodie Grundy after the Magpies have been forced to use key forward Travis Cloke as a back-up in the first three rounds.

Cox has replaced Matt Scharenberg, who was already on the long-term injury list.

The Magpies have already used 29 players in 2016, the most of any team.