Collingwood’s mood took a negative shift yesterday afternoon during their preparation for Saturday night’s huge game against the undefeated Cats.

Shortly after the announcement of Luke Ball’s exciting return, one of the Pies’ key performers, Dale Thomas, was taken off the field after experiencing soreness in his right ankle.

News Limited said, “He broke away from teammates and headed for the rooms at the Westpac Centre before the end of the closed session to prepare for Saturday night's clash with unbeaten Geelong at the MCG.”

At this stage it looks like Thomas will be out for two weeks and his training program will be altered to help with recovery.
Collingwood are crossing their fingers that Thomas’ complaint isn’t related to his previous ankle injury, that later caused him to undertake surgery last summer.

“Collingwood will anxiously await the scan results on Thomas's ankle that required surgery over summer and delayed his start to the AFL season,” News Limited said.

“It's hoped the pain isn't related to the previous ailment.”

Cats defender, Harry Taylor, told Cats TV that Thomas is a critical component of the Collingwood football club and he would have been one of Geelong’s biggest threats at this week’s game.

“Daisy Thomas is a very important player for the Collingwood football club,” Taylor said.

“He’s a terrific ball user very creative, similar to Stevie J for us.”

“He is disposing the ball at the moment at 75%, which is a great effort for a player that plays in the midfield.”   

Collingwood are also disappointed to lose their young forward, Alex Fasolo, who will undertake surgery this week after fracturing his navicular bone in his right foot.