Collingwood is confident defender Simon Prestigiacomo will overcome injury to help negate St Kilda danger man Nick Riewoldt in their AFL clash at Docklands on Friday night.
Prestigiacomo missed the Magpies’ narrow win over Melbourne last weekend with a quadriceps injury, but trained with his team-mates on Thursday.
Magpies midfielder Scott Pendlebury said the veteran defender looked set to play – a huge boost as the team prepare to confront the in-form Riewoldt who has been outstanding in the Saints’ two wins this season.
“He moved well and should be right,” Pendlebury said of Prestigiacomo.
“Most sides struggle with Nick but we’re going to back our defence, and hopefully we can shut down the ball use that comes in from their midfield and restrict them that way.”
Pies stars Josh Fraser and Heath Shaw did not train with the rest of the team on Thursday.
But Pendlebury said the pair were doing individual training programs and were in no doubt to play in the clash of the two unbeaten sides.
Pendlebury says the Magpies have the talent to match the disciplined Saints.
“We know from the footage that we’ve gone through the times they’ve broken us down we’ve got away from what we know best,” he said.
“We know we can match it with any side in the competition if we play our best and we’re looking forward to the challenge tomorrow night.
“They are a great side and it’s a great challenge for our boys.”