'Set him up for a tilt later in the campaign': Collingwood star Bobby Hill's potential finals return pushed back

In a potential boost for Collingwood's finals campaign, star forward Bobby Hill is back at training and taking steps toward a possible recall, although a return to the game day line-up for Thursday night's qualifying final against Adelaide has been ruled out.

Despite spending much of the past two months away from the club for personal reasons, Hill is back in action at Olympic Park.

Struggling with off-field issues, Hill has featured for the Magpies just once since round 16, when he was the substitute against the Lions in round 22.

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He has also had just one game in the VFL on managed minutes.

While it was considered a long shot that the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist would be fit and ready to travel to Adelaide, his presence on the training track has buoyed his teammates.

According to The Age, Hill's inconsistent training schedule continued Tuesday when he missed the main session, but a return could come as soon as Wednesday.

Coach Craig McRae confirmed Hill will not face the Crows, as the club focuses on a long-term plan to get him fit for a potential finals return.

"We support him with his family stuff that he is going through. He missed today, but he is training exceptionally well. Ideally, he is here [on Wednesday] or the next day so we can set him up for a tilt later in the campaign," he told media on Tuesday.

"He was never a chance to be available — it's just to get some load into him. We are rapt he is back in our program, and it's good to see him smiling again."

Hill recently had dinner with McRae and asked him to leave the door ajar for a return this season.

Speaking on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night, Essendon great Matthew Lloyd was unsure if Hill would feature again this season.

"Everything that comes across from every player that has been interviewed over the last couple of weeks suggests that it's about him winning respect back and getting back on the training track," he said.

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"But he looks a long way off from playing."

Geelong legend Jimmy Bartel agreed with the sentiment from the players, adding that Hill first needs to get his personal life in order before he focuses on football.

"When you hear the players talk, they just want Bobby back into a bit of routine and rhythm of life first, and then you add to the football component," he said.

"They are pretty difficult to walk into, hot finals, without much under your belt as far as training and conditioning goes."

Hill's selection will depend on his ability to complete all training sessions and get his fitness up to standard.

Fellow forward Beau McCreery has been cleared to play despite a foot injury, while midfielder Jordan De Goey's ankle is okay after a minor scare at training.

The Magpies' defence will, however, be without Jeremy Howe as he continues to recover from the groin injury he suffered in round 24.

Wil Parker is now a top option to replace him, with McRae praising the youngster's "fight and tenacity around the ball and the man". American Mason Cox is also a chance for a recall.

Despite talk of a shift to defence to replace Howe, Daniel McStay trained as a forward and is set to remain there.

The Magpies are confident they have learned from their three-point loss to the Crows in round 23, aware that they need to convert their inside 50 dominance into a winning score to flip the script.

The team has been preparing for the Adelaide Oval's narrow wings by replicating the dimensions in training.

They are also bracing for a hostile crowd, with McRae acknowledging the pressure on the Crows as they play their first final since 2017 and celebrate Taylor Walker's 300th game.