Howe in running for finals return as busted Pies regroup

JEREMY Howe’s strong running session last Friday has Collingwood believing he can feature in the first week of finals in September — if the Pies can make the cut.

Collingwood believes forward Brody Mihocek will be fit to take on North Melbourne nine days after being knocked out against Melbourne given his quick recovery.

But the Pies will still have to decide whether to bring in Mason Cox for his fifth game of the season after Ben Reid’s latest hamstring injury.

If the Pies play a final after a likely pre-finals bye Howe and Jordan De Goey would have six more weeks to prepare for that clash.

Howe’s PCL and MCL tear will mean he is touch and go for that clash but he took his first strides last Friday and passed with flying colours.

A series of short drills turned into a session of around 3.5km, which gives the Pies confidence he might make finals. De Goey has already been out for a month with finger tendon injury, so will have at least 10 weeks for the joint to recover.

Mihocek has not missed a game since his debut in Round 11, 2018, and the club is hopeful he will continue that streak after scans cleared him of serious damage following a collision with Demon Aaron van Denberg on Saturday.

The 27-year-old was stretchered from the field but has been cleared of concussion.

Swingman Reid is expected to miss a month after injuring his hamstring against Melbourne, with Adam Treloar (hamstring) also sidelined for another 3-4 weeks.

Defender Isaac Quaynor could return from a leg wound he suffered when Sam Wicks’ metal studs cut open his calf.