LUCKLESS Magpie Matt Scharenberg is on track to resume his career in the JLT Community Series after missing last year due to a knee reconstruction.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley told AFL.com.au the club was excited by what the 21-year-old might eventually add to the line-up but he would be given plenty of time to settle back into playing football.

"Our expectations are really tempered by the fact he's only just getting some clear air now," Buckley said.

"He has had a wretched run but he has been able to get back on par. He has had no hiccups through pre-season.

"He has put a good fitness block in and he is probably in a position now where he can find out what sort of an AFL footballer he is going to be."

The unlucky Scharenberg has played just four senior games since being drafted by the Pies with their first selection (No.6 overall) in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft having undergone foot surgery and two knee reconstructions.

He has not made a senior appearance since round 23, 2015 and has played 19 VFL games in his time at the Magpies.

In those appearances, Scharenberg showed an elite ability to read the play and make good decisions with the ball in hand.

However the Magpies are prepared to show patience as he re-enters the fray in 2017.

"We're excited by what he can bring," Buckley said.

"You're asking for really smart decision makers, good users of the footy, blokes that create time and space themselves and 'Shaz' (Scharenberg) has that capacity.

"We think he could work into the side and bring those attributes. Whether that is sooner or later will be off the back of when he is ready. We've been fairly patient to now. We're not going to push him up before he is ready."

Buckley said Collingwood would hit the ground running in the JLT Community Series, selecting strong sides for matches against the Essendon, Fremantle and Richmond.

The Pies take on the Bombers in the opening match of the pre-season competition at Etihad Stadium on Thursday, February 16.