The former Brisbane Lions Academy player would add depth to the defence,which will be without Mark Keane early in the season as he overcomes a finger injury,and industry sources expect him to find a spot.
Kelly had surgery on Saturday to repair the fracture but he is still likely to spend time on the sidelines after missing most of 2020 when he fractured his elbow on debut,meaning he has broken a bone in his two most recent senior appearances for the Magpies.
The extent of the calf injury to midfielder Steele Sidebottom remains uncertain,with the 30-year-old who has not missed a round-one game since his second season in 2010 sent for scans on Saturday.
However he will be touch and go for the round-one clash against the Western Bulldogs in a fortnight asCollingwood coach Nathan Buckley suggested post-game the problem was bilateral which can be tricky to manage.
The Magpies will welcome the return of last year’s best-and-fairest winner Taylor Adams,who is on track to play in the season-opener after suffering a minor hamstring injury last month,with forward Brody Mihocek also available after being rested with a sore calf.
Veteran wingman Chris Mayne is also likely to be available for selection,having missed both pre-season games after a concussion at training forced him to be on the sidelines for 12 days under the AFL’s concussion protocols.