Midfielder Scott Pendlebury is regarded as a future Collingwood captain and he is about to get a preview of what that job might mean.

The 21-year-old will lead out the Magpies in the NAB Cup semi-final against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

He takes the helm in the absence of captain Nick Maxwell and Josh Fraser who have been left out of the side.

Anzac Day medalist Paul Medhurst will play in the VFL while defender Harry O'Brien will also be missing.

Pendlebury said he was looking forward to the experience but did not believe he would be more vocal than usual in marshalling the side on the night.

"I'm just looking forward to it, it will be something that I haven't done before and it will be a good opportunity to see what it's like," he said.

"But at the end of the day it's another game and all the boys are looking forward to it.

"I'll just go about it the way I always do. I suppose all the boys talk out on the ground and I'm no different.

"Just because I'll be captain tomorrow night it doesn't mean that I'll talk any more than normal."

Essendon will be missing the experience of veteran full-back Dustin Fletcher and Andrew Lovett while midfielder Mark McVeigh is out with an injured ankle.

But the Magpies will be close to full strength, Pendlebury said.

"We haven't had many injuries over the summer, we've got pretty close to the full list.

"Everyone's ready to play so we're fortunate that way."

While NAB Cup matches are often treated as practice games, he said the Bombers would be competitive.

"Our main focus is obviously round one but in saying that we should have a strong side tomorrow night.

"As soon as the ball's up, no matter whether it's NAB Cup or round one, the intent's still the same and you want to come out with a win."

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