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AAP
Justin Chadwick

Collingwood star Bobby Hill OK after training scare

Collingwood are more concerned about Melbourne after their big loss than Bobby Hill's fitness. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Collingwood coach Craig McRae is confident forward Bobby Hill will be fit to play in Monday's match against a Demons outfit ready to play the role of the Big, Bad Wolf.

Hill sent a big scare through training on Thursday when he rolled his ankle late in the session.

Collingwood are already nursing a crippling injury list featuring the likes of Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey, Tom Mitchell, Scott Pendlebury, Brody Mihocek, Mason Cox, Joe Richards and Dan McStay.

But Hill, last year's Norm Smith medallist, is expected to front up against Melbourne in the King's Birthday clash.

"I just spoke to Bobby, he's fine," McRae said.

"He just tweaked his ankle a little bit. We've got four days before our game and there'll be no concern there."

Of bigger worry to Collingwood is the way Melbourne are going to rebound from last week's shock 92-point loss to Fremantle in Alice Springs.

That result tumbled Melbourne (7-5) to 10th, just behind Collingwood on percentage.

McRae is expecting a fable-like bounce back from the Demons.

"I think what we saw last week was an outlier," McRae said.

"I was watching the game through the entirety, and I'm going, 'wow, that's not Melbourne'.

"And I think they'll be saying the same. 

"When it becomes that acute I think you can react the other way really quickly. You can fix a lot of things quickly.

"We're anticipating a huff and a puff and a blow the house down - that's what's coming. We've just got to be ready for that."

There was talk earlier this week Elliott's career was in doubt due to a vascular issue that would turn his foot black at times.

McRae brushed off any long-term concerns, believing the classy forward will return in six to eight weeks. 

"We got some really good news during the week that the treatment he's been using is working," McRae said.

"He's on the mend and I think he might have had his first running session today.

"Hopefully six to eight weeks away."

Reef McInnes (concussion) and Will Hoskin-Elliott (hamstring) are on track to return against the Demons.

Although defending premiers Collingwood are outside of the top eight at the mid-point of the season, McRae isn't too worried.

"I'll check out the ladder in round 24, that's when it matters the most," McRae said.

"There's going to be peaks and troughs for everyone. The true value will be right when it matters."

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