Durable Josh aims to take on Saints

Collingwood ruckman Josh Fraser's reputation as one of the most durable players in the AFL could be enhanced this week with the Magpies vice-captain hopeful of lining up in Friday night's blockbuster clash against St Kilda - just six days after injuring his posterior cruciate ligament while playing for Victoria.

Fraser suffered the ruckman's curse on Saturday night while representing the Big V - a PCL injury caused by his knee clashing with the knee of Dean Cox during a centre bounce in the final term.

Initially it was feared the 26-year-old could have been sidelined for up to two months - which would have been a savage blow to the eighth-placed Magpies hopes of emulating last year's top-four finish - but Fraser said the injury is nowhere near as bad as first thought.

"It's pretty positive and I am still a chance to play this week," he said on Monday.

"I have got a couple of training sessions to go before Friday but it's not looking like a long-term (knee) injury as has been reported."

The 1999 No.1 draft pick is one of the most durable players in the AFL - having played at least 18 games in seven of his eight completed seasons so far with the exception being 2005 when a knee injury restricted him to just five games.

And Fraser is determined to again show this week that he is able to carry injuries like few big men in the AFL.

"I give myself every chance (of playing) this week," he said.

"At the moment I am probably under 50 percent (chance of playing), with the injury happening Saturday night and it's still yet to settle but the way it has responded since then, I might be able to have a run later in the week and then it will be up to the match committee to decide whether I play or not."

Fraser said even if he is forced to miss the clash against the fifth-placed Saints this Friday night, he would be confident of playing against unbeaten reigning premier Geelong the following week.

Despite the injury, Fraser said on Monday he has no regrets about playing for Victoria.

"It was a wonderful experience, a terrific experience," he said.

"I've already said to a few (Collingwood) boys that it would be a shame if they went through their careers and didn't get a chance to play for the Big V."

"It was an injury that could have happened at any time, it could have happened at training."

"It was a great thrill to play for Victoria so there is no regrets whatsoever."

Fraser said his knee has improved quickly since Saturday night's game and he is desperate to play in front of what is expected to be a full house at Telstra Dome in a game the Pies must win to maintain their place in the top eight.

"We have put ourselves in this position," he said of the must win nature of Friday night's game, particularly with a daunting clash against Geelong to come the week after.

"We have been a bit disappointing in recent weeks and certainly the Hawthorn game wasn't great (when the Pies lost by 65 points) but St Kilda represent a pretty good challenge."

"They are in a similar position to us and Friday night footy is always a big stage so the boys are looking forward to it."