COLLINGWOOD veteran Daniel Wells has overcome a serious knee injury and could make a rapid return in the VFL on Sunday as he makes a last-ditch attempt to play finals for the Magpies.

Wells has been sidelined since the round 10 win over Sydney at the SCG when, in his first game back from a long-term foot injury, the brilliant midfielder kicked three of the Pies' first four goals before damaging both the posterior and medial ligaments in his left knee.

Daniel Wells has headed to the rooms following this incident. #AFLSwansPies pic.twitter.com/G22rW6Vc57 — AFL (@AFL) May 24, 2019

A decision was made to forego surgery to keep alive the slim possibility that the 34-year-old could make a late-season return.

Surgery might also have ended the injury-prone runner's career given he is in the final year of a three-year contract.

If passed fit at Thursday's main training session, Wells will take the field against Casey Demons at Victoria Park on Sunday.

What a recovery Daniel Wells has made since injuring his knee in round 10. The veteran forward will push his case for a return at our main training session on Thursday.



Full injury report below. pic.twitter.com/6ssmD8sM1M — Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) August 6, 2019

There are also three rounds left in the VFL season but the Pies' seconds are unlikely to make the finals, sitting half-a-game and considerable percentage outside the top eight.

Earlier this year Wells played five VFL games before being promoted to AFL level when the Magpies were second on the ladder and performing strongly. All going well, he might get a senior game sooner given the out-of-form Pies are now sixth and have a long injury list.

The former North Melbourne star has played 258 games, but just 15 in three seasons with the Magpies.

Daniel Wells does his best work around a goal square!



Three goals, eight possessions. #AFLSwansPies pic.twitter.com/YcMTDOLyLV — AFL (@AFL) May 24, 2019

As expected, Pies matchwinner Jordan De Goey (hamstring) and first-year defender Isaac Quaynor will spend a second week on the sidelines, while inside midfielder Brayden Sier (calf) will miss a third game as Collingwood faces Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.

Meanwhile, second-year runner Nathan Murphy (hip and back) again faces a fitness test before being cleared to play his first game of the season.

Brayden Sier, Jordan De Goey and Ben Reid run laps at training on Friday. Picture: AFL Photos



Earlier, De Goey revealed his hamstring problem wasn't as serious as he'd initially feared when he hurt it late in the round 19 loss to Richmond at the MCG.

"It was pretty much in the last two minutes of the game, which always seems to happen. I kind of slipped and felt a bit of a grab, but lucky for me it wasn't as bad as what I thought it was going to be," the 23-year-old told Triple M radio on Tuesday.

"For now, this part of the season is (about) just trying to get it right for the finals, if that's the case."

The news comes after Collingwood's forward/ruckman Mason Cox was ruled out for the rest of the season with a left eye injury that will receive surgery later this week.

His manager Adam Ramanauskas told RSN927 radio that testing had revealed an issue with Cox's "good" right eye, which will undergo laser surgery.