The Magpies will be forced to make at least one change for their big twilight clash with the Crows at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Midfielder Steele Sidebottom could be sidelined for six to eight weeks after sustaining a broken thumb in the last quarter of their season-opening win over the Brisbane Lions.

Collingwood’s midfield depth is already under strain given a hairline fracture of the ankle suffered by former Kangaroo Levi Greenwood in the club’s final NAB Challenge hit-out.

"We've got two of our first-choice midfielders who won't play for a period of time so it's a challenge for us," Pies coach Nathan Buckley said.

“We believe in our midfield depth, and the players that we can run through there are actually a strong point, and that will be tested.

"We'll be looking to introduce fresh legs through there, whether that be forwards who play more midfield time or whether we bring some young players into the mix that have been thereabouts in the VFL."

Left-footer Ben Kennedy, an emergency last week, will come under strong consideration for promotion, as will Nathan Freeman, Tim Broomhead, Paul Seedsman and Sam Dwyer – the latter three performing strongly in Collingwood’s VFL practice match against Casey.

Darcy Moore and Jonathon Marsh also performed strongly in defence and could be called upon to help quell an Adelaide attack which booted 21 goals – the most of any side in Round One.

Buckley also confirmed key-position player Ben Reid will not confront the Crows, but will play in the VFL this weekend as he builds his way back up from a series of soft-tissue injuries which limited his pre-season.

"Ben will play this week and continue to increase his game load," Buckley said.

"We think we're managing him really well. Externally, there's an impatience to see him up and about.

"But we've said all along that ‘Reidy’ will play when he's ready, and he's still got some more game load to get in.