Injuries have cost Collingwood's prize recruit Luke Ball and defender Ben Johnson a place in Monday's Queen's Birthday AFL clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

Hard-nosed midfielder Ball, who has shone for the Magpies this season, playing the first 11 games, after being traded from St Kilda, is out with a groin injury, while Johnson has an ankle complaint.

While 26-year-old Ball was troubled by long-term groin problems at times during his Saints career, Magpies football chief Geoff Walsh said both he and Johnson should miss just one game.

The Magpies have their mid-season break next weekend, with the pair expected to be available for the ANZ Stadium meeting with Sydney on June 26.

"Ball wasn't able to get up with a groin complaint but he should be right for selection for the (Sydney) match," Walsh told the club's website.

"With the club facing a weekend off after the game against Melbourne, we are hopeful both players will be ready to go."

The Demons also have problems, losing skipper James McDonald to a hamstring strain.

Fellow midfielder Nathan Jones could still be forced out with a similar complaint, despite being named in their squad on Thursday night.

Colin Sylvia was also included, despite spending the week in hospital for treatment on a blood clot in his foot, but needs to prove his fitness at training over the weekend.

Veterans Shane O'Bree and Tarkyn Lockyer were both recalled to an expanded interchange bench for the Magpies, while Melbourne named key defender James Frawley, who is expected to return from a back injury.

Geelong lost key forward Cameron Mooney (ankle) for Saturday night's Etihad Stadium meeting with Essendon.

It compounds the continued absence of fellow tall target Tom Hawkins (foot), who also missed last weekend's win over West Coast.

But the injury-hit Cats retained James Podsiadly, despite the key forward straining his groin in the warm-up last round, and regained captain Cameron Ling from a shoulder injury.

The Bombers made five changes, including the loss of David Hille and Angus Monfries to hamstring injuries, but Dustin Fletcher and Brent Stanton will return from suspension and injury respectively.

Sydney will be boosted by the return of running defender Tadhg Kennelly and small forward Ben McGlynn from injury for Saturday night's clash with Port Adelaide, McGlynn after missing seven games with a quadriceps injury.

Adelaide lost veterans Tyson Edwards (retirement) and Andrew McLeod (knee), along with young defender Phil Davis (AC joint), but experienced backman Nathan Bock returns from injury for Sunday's match against Hawthorn in Launceston.

The Hawks regained star forward Lance Franklin from suspension, but lost Chance Bateman (suspension), Clinton Young (thigh) and Liam Shiels (quad).

Richmond will welcome back Daniel Connors from an eight-game club-imposed suspension and Daniel Jackson from AFL suspension for Sunday's meeting with West Coast, who are still without injured captain Darren Glass.

The Western Bulldogs named forward Robert Murphy to return from a knee injury against Brisbane on Sunday, but Shaun Higgins is out with an ankle injury.

The Lions were hit with the loss of defenders Matt Maguire (foot) and Ashley McGrath (hamstring), but fullback Daniel Merrett is set to return after missing six games with a hamstring injury.

North Melbourne will be without key forward David Hale (back), replaced by Ben Warren, for Friday night's clash with Carlton, who regained Dennis Armfield.

Fremantle lost Chris Mayne (ankle) and dropped Steven Dodd for Sunday's Subiaco meeting with St Kilda, who are yet to make any cuts.

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