Collingwood’s bleak injury outlook has improved slightly with the Magpies confirming utility Tyson Goldsack will return via the VFL this Sunday against the Box Hill Hawks less than six months after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

The Magpies are also hopeful Brody Mihocek will overcome the ankle injury he suffered against Richmond and be available for selection to play against the Sydney Swans on Saturday night.

Signs are also positive from Jeremy Howe although he will need to pass concussion tests to play while big-bodied midfielder Brayden Sier is a strong chance to play after a quad injury kept him sidelined against Richmond.

With the club still reeling after Matt Scharenberg suffered his third ACL injury against the Tigers, they have been heartened by Goldsack’s recovery.

The Magpies are also hopeful premiership defender Ben Reid can return to full training next week with the hope of playing VFL soon after a knee operation and have not ruled Jamie Elliott out for 2018 despite the 25-year-old forward hurting his hamstring once again on Sunday in the VFL.

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh told the club website that Reid, who has not played since round 10, was showing good signs.

‘‘Since he had the scrape on both knees, he has stepped up his running. We would expect Ben to join in full training this week and do some full training again next week,’’ Walsh said. ‘‘Hopefully, in 10 days’ time, we’re looking at Ben being available for selection which is a really strong recovery from his operation.’’

While Elliott’s injury was a blow, Jarryd Blair was once again among the Magpies’ best players while Alex Fasolo and James Aish showed promising signs. Aish was an automatic selection in the Magpies’ best 22 before being injured in round six.

The Magpies are also buoyed by star midfielder Adam Treloar’s progress as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered in round 14. Collingwood are still hopeful he will be ready to play finals if they qualify. Collingwood sit third on the ladder but are only one game and percentage ahead of ninth-placed Sydney Swans, who they play on Saturday.