Collingwood have lost yet another player to niggling injury, with reborn defender Leon Davis joining a star-studded sideline three weeks out from the AFL finals.

Davis, best-afield last weekend in the win over St Kilda with 36 disposals, will miss the Magpies' match against Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday night with leg soreness.

The club says his injury is not serious and he should return for the Magpies' penultimate home-and-away clash with Fremantle next weekend.

Davis joins skipper Nick Maxwell (broken thumb), defender Ben Johnson (soreness), forward Chris Dawes (broken knuckle), midfielder Sharrod Wellingham (groin) and the suspended Heath Shaw as sidelined Magpies.

But Magpies star Scott Pendlebury remains bullish the club's depth and competition for spots will serve them well heading towards the finals, especially with most of their wounded to return in time for September.

"I don't think it will affect us with guys coming back in (near the finals) as long as they play their role," he said.

"We're more advanced because we've been playing the game style for 18 months, but we're still introducing a lot of new guys.

"It's important to know we're not handing out games.

"For us as a side to get better, these guys need to be putting their hand up and putting pressure on the senior guys and to their credit, they've done that, earned the trust of the boys, and they're playing good footy."

Defender Simon Buckley replaces Davis.

The Pies are set to give another player an AFL debut against the Lions, with youngster Tom Young rewarded for two seasons of good reserves' form.

Premiership defender Alan Toovey returns from injury, joining Young and two other youngsters Lachlan Keeffe and Ben Sinclair as inclusions.

Pendlebury will replace Maxwell as skipper.

Brisbane regain midfielder Daniel Rich after six weeks' absence with a foot injury, with James Hawksley omitted.

"He's a pretty important part of our midfield and to have him back is good," Lions coach Michael Voss said of Rich.

"He should be fresh coming into the back end of the year ... and we're hoping he can finish off the year strong."

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