BEN REID'S injury problems have reared again with Collingwood confirming he has suffered a calf injury that will keep him out of training for at least a month.

The Magpies were optimistic that Reid was about a week away from resuming full training before he injured his 'good' left calf while completing his warm-up on Monday.

Reid managed just four senior games in 2014 with a series of soft-tissue injuries – including to his right calf – keeping him out until round 18.

Magpies CEO Gary Pert said it was hoped the key swingman woiuld be fit for the start of the regular season but captain Scott Pendlebury said it was a disappointing setback for his teammate.

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"I spoke to him (Reid) yesterday after it happened and, like all of us, he's searching for answers and wondering why," Pendlebury said on Tuesday afternoon.

"The club will look at the best possible treatment for Reidy and hopefully we'll see him up and going after the Christmas break."

Collingwood football manager Neil Balme told the club's website that Reid had strained his calf, rather than torn it, but there was little doubt his preparation for 2015 had been compromised.

Balme said it was hoped Reid would be sidelined for three to four weeks but Pendlebury was a little less optimistic.

"Hopefully it's only four to six weeks and we see him back out there because for us to be a good side this year, he (Reid) is a big part of that," Pendlebury said.

Reid injured a quad on the eve of the 2014 season and did not play his first VFL game until July, when he injured a hamstring.

He recovered to play four senior games from round 18-21 before hurting his hamstring again.

The 25-year-old remains stranded on 99 senior games.

Meanwhile, Pendlebury is making steady progress in his own recovery from off-season shoulder surgery.

The skipper is yet to join in contact drills at training but he has completed all the running drills set by fitness boss Bill Davoren.

Pendlebury said his shoulder surgeon had given him the all clear to join in full training when the players return to the club after Christmas.

"You get pulled out of the footy drills when there's contact and you get to run laps which has been a new experience for me," Pendlebury said.

"I can't wait to get to January 5 and be able to get back into all the contact drills."