Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has clarified the situation regarding ruckman Josh Fraser, stressing he will return to the AFL as soon as he is ready.

Fraser will play for Collingwood's VFL team on Sunday as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

The Magpies vice-captain originally suffered the posterior cruciate ligament problem in the May 10 Hall Of Fame tribute match.

While Fraser returned to the AFL after a week out, his form suffered and he has not played since round 12.

Collingwood's plan is for Fraser to regain match fitness in the VFL, but not contest the ruck at centre bounces.

"That knee injury will improve dramatically with strength and his fitness will improve dramatically because he now plays a game, whether he plays full-forward, full back, it doesn't matter," Malthouse said.

"He'll do ruck work, but not centre-bounce stuff.

"When he's comfortable and confident and when he's got his knee strength right, he'll come into the side."

Malthouse thinks Fraser will be ready for the AFL in two to three weeks.

Chris Bryan and Cameron Wood have carried the ruck work in Fraser's absence and they impressed again.

Their encouraging form led to some speculation that Fraser might struggle to break back into the senior team.

"They've been highly competitive, they've been quite good, actually," Malthouse said.

But he confirmed that once Fraser is ready, one of them will have to be dropped.

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