Collingwood's Luke Ball is on the verge of returning to the field. Source: Getty Images
COLLINGWOOD'S Luke Ball is likely to make his long-awaited return to football next week.
The 3 NAB Cup game against Brisbane, has been touted for Ball's comeback, providing he handles an increased training load.
If he plays against the Lions in the March 9 game at Etihad Stadium, the veteran midfielder will take a big step towards being passed fit for Round 1 of the home-and-away season.
The Magpies have been ultra-conservative in managing Ball, 28, who blew out his knee in Round 3 last year.
He received a clearance from his surgeon regarding his knee in December, but has required extra work to strengthen the hamstring where the graft was taken for the operation.
Ball didn't take part in Collingwood's intra-club practice match on Friday but is expected to step up his competitive work this week.
He has played 51 games for Collingwood since crossing in 2010 from St Kilda, where he played 142 games.
Collingwood is likely to have an interesting selection dilemma for the Round 1 clash with North Melbourne, as Ball and fellow midfielder Dale "Daisy" Thomas could both be available.
Thomas took a significant step in his recovery from an ankle injury late last week when he pulled up well from a lengthy running session.
Coach Nathan Buckley last week rated Ball slightly ahead of Thomas for Round 1.
"Luke could drop into full training at any stage in the next week and Dale is probably a week away from doing warm-up and full training," Buckley said.
"If 'Daisy' fully trains in a week's time, we're still a month out from Round 1.
"If he was able to achieve that, he'd be around the mark for a Round 1 start."
The revamped NAB Cup bench rules - teams will be allowed three interchange players and three substitutes - are a potential advantage for the Magpies, because the substitutes will become full interchange players if the weather is hot.
Previously Ball and Thomas could have been eased back by playing a quarter or a half in the practice match series because of the extended interchange rules.
Forward Alex Fasolo (foot) and Tyson Goldsack (knee) are likely to return for Sunday's Round 2 NAB Cup match against West Coast at Subiaco.
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