Wayward Collingwood star Alan Didak appears set to continue his AFL career as a Magpie, after club president Eddie McGuire gave him the strongest sign of public support over his future.

Didak has been touted as trade bait ever since he and teammate Heath Shaw lied to the club over Shaw's decision to drive his car drunk, with Didak as a passenger, last month.

Collingwood suspended the pair for the remainder of the season.

Didak on Thursday night apologised to his club and supporters and to McGuire personally, saying he was desperate to continue his career at Collingwood.

McGuire said the Magpies would consider any potential trade deal in next month's exchange period, but expected Didak to be playing for Collingwood in 2009.

"All things being equal, you'd like to think that Alan will be at the club next year," McGuire said on radio station SEN.

"He's a required player, he's contracted for two years, he's a very, very good footballer and all things being equal, I'd love to see the No.4 (guernsey) galloping around in black and white stripes with Alan Didak in it."

McGuire was one of the Collingwood officials embarrassed in the drink-drive fiasco, as the club hierarchy stood firmly behind Didak and Shaw before it emerged the pair's story that Didak was not a passenger when Shaw drove drunk was a lie.

Last year Didak was also a passenger in a car driven by Christopher Hudson, who later pleaded guilty to shootings in Melbourne's CBD which left one man dead and two people injured.

McGuire was confident the 2006 best and fairest winner had learned a lesson from his latest indiscretion.

"I like Alan and we've got a good rapport for each other and I've stuck my head out on more than one occasion for him over the duration," McGuire said.

"He's a good young fella and I think he has learnt a lot over the last six weeks.

"If he hasn't, well, there's nothing that can teach him."

Didak told the Nine Network the past six weeks had been the toughest period of his life.

Meanwhile, a decision on the future of Collingwood captain Scott Burns will be made early next week.

Burns, 33, is weighing up whether to play one more season or retire, where he is likely to be approached by other clubs keen to hire him as an assistant coach.

Collingwood players have been meeting with coach Mick Malthouse this week and will do so next week.

McGuire was not prepared to say which way Burns was leaning, but said he had a "fair idea" of the midfielder's intentions.

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