Mick fears for Krakouer

Former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says he is far more concerned about the wellbeing of absent Magpie Andrew Krakouer than whether or not he plays football again.

Collingwood confirmed on Friday that they had granted Krakouer what they termed a month-long 'leave of absence' in order to deal with personal issues that are believed to relate to his wife and two daughters.

There have also been suggestions that he has been battling financial difficulties as well.

And while skipper Nick Maxwell on Saturday morning backed Krakouer to return to the club once he has sorted out his issues, 2010 premiership coach Malthouse told ''3AW'' the 29-year-old's playing future wasn't his main worry at present.

"I think we've just got to be so, so careful," Malthouse said.

"This could be a state of depression and if that's the case then we've got to understand that as well and you don't need to have any skin colour to have depression."

"This is not about football, this is about life."

"I would like to see him get his life in order if that's the case."

"If he's going to get his football in order, well that's well and good, but I want to get in touch on the humanity thing, not so much the football thing."

According to Malthouse, the departure of Leon Davis at the end of last year may have also played a part in what's been suggested has been a lack of motivation for Krakouer, who booted 35 goals in 23 games in his first season with the Magpies last year.

"I think when the games start he'll probably feel a bit better, but Leon Davis won't be there," Malthouse added.

"Will his family be there? Well, the girls are pretty happy being in Western Australia."

"Will they (his daughters) come back [or] ... live with their grandparents from time to time? I'm not 100 percent sure."

"I hope so for his sake, but stranger things have happened."

Malthouse was also convinced that Krakouer had learned from the mistakes of the assault that landed him in a Western Australian jail in 2008 and while he is yet to speak to him, he has left a couple of messages.