Pies given another significant injury blow ahead of the Dogs meeting.

Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury has been ruled out of the AFL clash against the Western Bulldogs, as the reigning premiers deal with the consequences of their increasing injury toll.

Pendlebury did not finish training at Olympic Park on Wednesday, leaving the track early.

The 36-year-old has been nursing an arm ailment since last week’s draw against Fremantle.

“Pendles won’t play,” Magpies coach Craig McRae informed reporters following Wednesday’s training session.

“We expected him to pass training and be correct, but he failed.

“We’ll see what it looks like. At this point, we don’t know, but he won’t play. “It’s a huge (blow). His leadership is vital, and his expertise makes him difficult to replace.”

In brighter news for the Pies, McRae announced that Jeremy Howe completed training and would return from a minor groin issue to enhance their tall stock against the Bulldogs.

Howe started forward in Collingwood’s round nine triumph against West Coast before suffering an injury.

Howe started forward in Collingwood’s round nine triumph against West Coast before suffering an injury.

The versatile giant might be called upon in attack again, as Brody Mihocek (hamstring) and Mason Cox (concussion/knee) were added to a long injured list last week.

Billy Frampton practiced with the forwards and is another regular defender who might be used in attack.

McRae said Collingwood is “swimming against the tide” with seasoned talents Jordan De Goey (abdominal tendon), Jamie Elliott (vascular), Tom Mitchell (plantar fasciitis), Will Hoskin-Elliott (hamstring), and Dan McStay (knee – season) also out.

However, the Pies’ third-year coach has embraced the opportunity that those injuries have provided to younger players, and he is looking forward to what the older players’ returns may bring later in the season.

“I’m really excited to see more opportunities for some, and there’ll be a period when they’ll come back,” McRae stated.

“This isn’t going to last forever… there’s a time limit, and what happens when they return? I’m quite enthusiastic about that.

“There will be a lot of players coming back that haven’t been beaten up for 25 rounds.”

The Bulldogs have also been hit hard by injuries, with important forwards Aaron Naughton (knee), Ed Richards, and Anthony Scott (both concussions) missing the Collingwood game.

Defender James O’Donnell is set to return after missing last week’s defeat to ladder leaders Sydney due to sickness.