THE ghosts of Matthew Scarlett past might haunt Collingwood but they will not be sufficient to provoke the club into resting full-forward Anthony Rocca.

During pre-season, coach Michael Malthouse said the club would continue taking a horses for courses approach with older players such as Rocca and Shane Wakelin, but for now that point had not been reached.

"Anthony Rocca will definitely play," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"Scarlett has got hold of most forwards in the competition in the last 18 months, he is a great player but by the same token no team in the competition takes Anthony Rocca lightly because he is a power forward who takes contested marks and can kick a goal from 60 metres and there are not many of those around."

Scarlett polled two Brownlow votes (Joel Corey three) when Geelong defeated Collingwood by 16 points in round 15 last year and in last season's preliminary final he was also beaten by Scarlett.

In that final, Rocca was restricted by a shoulder injury but Collingwood hoped he would be able to provide marking contests and bring the ball to ground for the swoopers and thereby force Scarlett to remain accountable. As it was the full-back ran off Rocca and was an attacking weapon for the Cats.

Walsh rejected the suggestion Rocca was carrying a more serious foot injury that could sideline him for a lengthy period.

Rocca came back into the side last week for the win over St Kilda after missing the two previous games which bracketed the bye after receiving a hamstring strain and an ankle injury.

"He is OK. First game back he pulls up pretty sore and if you saw him train the other day you would think he was no chance but that is normal for him first game back. He will train tomorrow and he will play," Walsh said.

"In terms of being seriously injured or carrying anything more significant — no, he is OK."

Collingwood also expects Josh Fraser, who received a posterior cruciate ligament injury in the Hall of Fame game a fortnight ago, to be fit to play against Geelong after getting through Tuesday's training session.

If Fraser pulls up well from that training session and today's light run, he will play.