COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley is in doubt to fulfil his duties against Melbourne at the MCG on Monday after suffering a hamstring tear while playing touch football.
Buckley had surgery on Wednesday evening after tearing his left hamstring from the bone on Tuesday afternoon.
If Buckley cannot coach in the Queen's Birthday clash, senior assistant coach Robert Harvey will step up in his absence.
"Clearly, the end to my playing career taught me very little," Buckley said.
"I’m still confusing ambition with ability and my ropey hamstrings are still reminding me of that mistake."
The coach tweeted on Thursday morning that the hamstring surgery had gone well and he anticipated being available to coach against the Demons.
Magpies football manager Neil Balme said things would not change drastically in the club's preparation for Monday's big clash.
"As important as the senior coach is, the strength and quality of the Collingwood program should compensate for his absence for a couple of days if that is what transpires," Balme said.
"'Harves' and the rest of the coaching staff are an experienced group and more than capable of ensuring continuity.”
Harvey was promoted to the senior assistant role at the Magpies at the end of 2013, with 2015 his seventh season in the coaching caper.
Buckley's injury follows that of North counterpart Brad Scott who is due to have back surgery and will not coach the Roos for about four weeks as he recovers.
