Collingwood midfielder Dane Swan may be restricted to light training duties, but coach Mick Malthouse remains confident his star will play against West Coast on Sunday.

Swan has been battling leg soreness - believed to be a quadriceps problem - in recent AFL matches.

He played with his thigh heavily strapped against Adelaide last weekend and did little at Magpies training on Thursday.

But Malthouse says Swan is no different to most other players at this time of the season, who are able to play despite soreness, knocks and lighter weeks on the training track.

"The attrition rate in AFL football is far greater than what's reported," Malthouse said.

"Players continually play and carry some form of injuries ... players who can play but are restricted are in the majority.

"We will not play players who aren't able to play, so Dane is like about seven or eight players - able to play but slightly restricted."

Leigh Brown, Ben Johnson and Alan Toovey are also likely to come into contention for the MCG clash against the Eagles.

With No.1 ruckman Darren Jolly still missing through injury, Brown - a late withdrawal last weekend - will be vital as Collingwood attempt to counter the Eagles ruck tandem of Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.

Malthouse said Brown, Johnson and Toovey were all over their respective injuries.

Defender Toovey hasn't played since backing bravely into a pack against Geelong a fortnight ago and being knocked senseless.

"We'll judge him by probably Saturday and (Brown and Johnson) are in a similar boat," Malthouse said.

"If they've got a chance to play, they'll be named, with the intent that they play."

Malthouse is wary of former club West Coast, who destroyed the Western Bulldogs by 123 points last weekend to enter the top eight.

He believes last season's wooden spooners have adapted their style and sees some elements of how Collingwood approach their football in the Eagles' strategy.

"When you've got something successful that they and Sydney had (in 2005-2006) there's a reluctance to change," Malthouse said.

"I'm broadly thinking they've looked at their game structure ... they've got a good blend of age and experience, took the best out of a lot of sides, and put it together.

"They seem to be enjoying what they're doing."

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