Collingwood has not given up hope of star midfielder Scott Pendlebury playing a part in the rest of this year's finals series despite confirmation on Monday he suffered a fractured fibula in Sunday's qualifying final loss against St Kilda.

It is a devastating blow for the Magpies who face a six day break before the knockout semi-final against a rampaging Adelaide Crows team who will enjoy an eight day rest.

Collingwood football operations manager Geoff Walsh said on Monday the Pies had not ruled the 2007 Copeland Trophy runner-up out for the rest of the season despite the broken leg with Pendlebury already having undergone surgery.

"We found out late last night that he did have a crack in his fibula and we have had some surgery on that this morning and plated it," Walsh said.

"The reason we have done (the surgery so soon) is that while there is life there is hope and there is some chance we could get him back playing in a timeframe a bit less than normal."

"So maybe in two weeks or a bit beyond he may be able to play hopefully."

The best case scenario for the Pies is that Pendlebury, one of their best ball winners whose influence was sorely lacking against the Saints on Sunday after he went down in the opening minutes, returns in time for the grand final should the Pies make it.

"Our medical advice and the surgeons advice is we won't affect him long-term (by attempting to rush him back quicker than normal) which is a major consideration so he has had his leg repaired and a plate put in and fingers crossed he recovers quickly."

Walsh said the fact the fibula was "a non-weight bearing bone" would aid the chance of Pendlebury making a quick recovery but he has certainly been ruled out of Saturday night's knockout semi-final against Adelaide at the MCG and is unlikely to return for the preliminary final against Geelong the following week, should the Pies avoid going out in straight sets this coming weekend.

Meanwhile veteran Anthony Rocca, who played his first game since Round 7 against the Saints, is also in doubt this week after re-injuring his troublesome ankle.

While Rocca has not been ruled out of this Saturday's semi-final against the Crows, the 32-year-old is not helped by the Pies' short week.

"The swelling has come down today but it will be a day by day situation but looks a bit better than last night," Walsh said of Rocca's ankle.

"Historically with Anthony the six day break (between games) won't help (his chances of playing this week) because he needs pretty much every day in his favour to get up but his general fitness has been pretty good."

Rocca managed just five disposals in his much-hyped comeback game but was the Pies' most dangerous forward in kicking two of their seven goals for the match as Walsh denied the club took an unnecessary gamble by playing Rocca first-up in a final.

"You can call it a gamble but I don’t think we lost out in that," Walsh said.

"He (Rocca) kicked two goals, he didn't have a lot of possessions but his effort and ability to contest was terrific and his return of two goals out of seven was okay."

Pendlebury and Rocca are the Pies' only injury concerns with Walsh reporting on Monday that number one ruckman Josh Fraser's troublesome knee pulled up well as he battled one-out against the Saints' veteran ruck pair of Steven King and Michael Gardiner on Sunday.

However Walsh said back-up ruckman Cameron Wood, a surprise omission from Sunday's clash, was in contention to return this week after dominating during the Pies' VFL team's thumping 19 goal elimination final victory on the weekend.

Other players in contention for a recall this week are midfielder Ryan Cook, who looms as the obvious replacement for the injured Pendlebury, while small forward Brad Dick booted five goals in the VFL as the forgotten Danny Stanley, who has played just five games in four seasons with the Pies, put his name forward as a shock selection with 34 possessions and four goals in a best on ground performance in the win over Casey.