Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley is likely to make his AFL return against Sydney on June 25.

After coach Mick Malthouse said on radio that Buckley was "a chance" to return next Monday, football manager Neil Balme hosed down the speculation.

Buckley trained strongly again, but the Magpies are unlikely to play him in Monday's Queens Birthday match against Melbourne.

He needed surgery after round one because of a hamstring tendon tear.

"We'd be more likely to be conservative than take a risk at this stage," said Balme.

"It's a very significant part of his career now to actually come back and play.

"He has trained really well."

The mid-season break means Collingwood will have a week off between the Melbourne and Sydney matches.

Balme added it was "pretty unlikely" that Buckley would play for Collingwood's VFL affiliate Williamstown this weekend.

Malthouse told SEN that the club did not want to push Buckley too quickly.

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