Recruit Clinton Young will miss Collingwood's round one clash against North Melbourne.

Young joined Collingwood through free agency but had an operation on his foot to start pre-season. He returned to play the early practice matches and NAB Cup games but missed the club's final hit-out against Geelong.

Collingwood's football manager Geoff Walsh told The Club on Wednesday night that the running wingman/defender was not likely to play. "We think that he is probably seven to 10 days away from match fitness and we'll be more than likely seeing him debut for the Magpies somewhere in round two," Walsh said.

The patience is consistent with Nathan Buckley's comment on Tuesday that the Magpies would only select players who had uninterrupted pre-seasons.

The Magpies two other acquisitions made through free agency, Quinten Lynch and Jordan Russell will make their debuts for the Magpies on Sunday after impressive pre-seasons.

Lynch played 209 games for the West Coast Eagles and his most recent game was against Collingwood in last year's semi-final at the MCG.

Russell played 116 games for Carlton, his last for the club against the Western Bulldogs in round 17.

Walsh also said that recently elevated rookie Jack Frost was likely to make his debut.

Walsh said that Andrew Krakouer may play for the VFL in Thursday night's curtain raiser against the AIS-AFL Academy while Dale Thomas was certain to make his return in that game.

Speaking on SEN on Thursday, Alan Toovey predicted a tough first round encounter on Sunday and said the new recruits had impressed over the pre-season, even giving an indication of a youngster who may be the Pies' season bolter.

Josh Thomas, a late draft pick in 2009, was predicted by Toovey would could play several games at AFL level this season.