Dale Thomas remains a chance to return from an ankle injury in the final rounds of the season.The star wingman is now listed as being 1-2 weeks away from getting back out on the field as he enters the final stages of his recovery.Thomas, who has not played since round seven, may throw the coaching staff a minor dilemma should be prove his fitness in the next fortnight.Should they wish to bring Thomas back to speed through the VFL, they will need to be mindful of the fact that there are only three more games remaining in the VFL home and away season.Collingwood is not yet assured of a spot in the finals. It is in seventh place on the ladder but is only one game clear of the three sides locked together on seven wins.Should Thomas be fit to play in two weeks, he will have only two VFL home and away matches in which to get match fit, unless the VFL Magpies are able to qualify for the finals which would then give the coaches and Thomas an extra week before potentially returning for the first week of the AFL finals.Thomas is said to be “getting close by the day,” which bodes well for his hopes of making a late-season return.Last Friday, Thomas told Nova 100 that he is nearing the point at which he can spring into action."I reckon a couple of weeks so when the boys are up in Sydney (round 20)," Thomas said."I think that's next weekend maybe. I'll hopefully have a run around (either) next weekend or the weekend after, (but) it probably won't be in the seniors."Clinton Young is also in a similar boat to Thomas.Young is considered to be 2-3 weeks away from returning from a hamstring injury. Like Thomas, he may also need to navigate his return via the VFL.Marty Clarke will have his ankle tested this week after leaving the field midway through last Sunday’s VFL loss to Williamstown while Jordan Russell will have his injured foot assessed.