GEELONG coach Chris Scott remains confident the mercurial powers of out-of-form midfielder Steve Johnson will return soon.

The 31-year-old Johnson has battled to reproduce his best form after a foot injury interrupted his pre-season.

He started as the substitute in round four and looked out of sorts at times against Richmond although he kicked an important goal in the final quarter.

Scott said he was confident that Johnson would emerge from the rare patch of indifferent form.

"[There is] probably bit of a focus on him now because he is a little bit older," Scott said.

"If he was going through a lean patch when he was in his prime I think that all anyone would be saying is that he is in a patch and he will get through it.

"He is still a valuable member of the team at the moment and I'm looking forward to seeing the way he plays in the next couple of weeks, next couple of months.

Scott said questioning Johnson's future would only spur him to work harder and play better.

"He is a very proud player and he'll be doing everything he can to improve," Scott said.

"I still have great confidence in him that he will get through it."

Johnson has averaged 19 disposals in the first five games - he came on as the substitute against North Melbourne - and kicked four goals.

The Cats need him firing as their injury list grows longer.

James Kelly will miss at least a month after having surgery to repair a ruptured testicle, Billie Smedts broke his collarbone in the VFL and ruckman Hamish McIntosh hurt a tendon in his calf.

The injury came at an unfortunate time for McIntosh as Scott said he was pressing hard for selection.

"He [McIntosh] was close. That is the short answer. He was very close so it means we are a man down for the next few weeks," Scott said.

The 30-year-old has battled injury in the latter part of his career, only managing to play senior football in one of his three seasons at the club.

Geelong has to decide whether to stick with Dawson Simpson against Collingwood's in-form ruckman Brodie Grundy or introduce Rhys Stanley, who missed the game against Richmond.

"We've got some different ruck options in our team," Scott said.

"Dawson [Simpson] is one of those that can really compete strongly against the big aggressive ruckman in the competition. Dawson influenced the game as well aside from the stoppages, which is what we asked of him."

The Cats remain hopeful that Stanley and Mitch Clark will be available for selection this week, with Mathew Stokes and Andrew Mackie undergoing tests.

Scott said Dean Gore and Jake Kolodjashnij were in contention to make their debut on Friday night at the MCG.