Pies leaders will chat with Wells

BEFORE he heads off on holidays, Daniel Wells can expect a gentle reminder from Collingwood’s leadership group to deliver himself to pre-season training in good shape.

The 32-year-old’s first campaign with Collingwood after his high-profile switch from North Melbourne has been hampered by calf and thigh injuries that have restricted him to 10 games.

By his own admission, Wells did not arrive for his first preseason with the Pies in ideal condition.

In February, coach Nathan Buckley conceded Wells had not presented himself in match condition, but defended the decision to hand the talented but injury-prone onballer a three-year deal.

In the games he has played, the silky-skilled midfielder has made a big difference, the Pies losing just two of those matches and drawing another.

“I think there’ll be a discussion at some point,” teammate Jeremy Howe said on Fox Footy’s On The Couch when asked if the Pies’ onfield leaders would speak to Wells about his off-season conditioning.

“We’re definitely a better side when he plays.”