Marley Williams’ state of mind could undergo a thorough test when Collingwood play AFL arch-rivals Carlton this Friday night.

A week after Magpies coach Nathan Buckley expressed concerns about Williams’ emotions, the defender might return to senior football in the blockbuster against their fiercest rivals.

Williams was given a 12-month suspended jail term last week for grievous bodily harm and returned to football on the weekend through Collingwood’s VFL team.

While Buckley expected Williams to need a couple of weeks in the VFL, fellow backman Alex Fasolo is in strong doubt after suffering a toe injury on Anzac Day in the win over Essendon.

That could open the door for Williams to make a speedy return to the AFL.

“He (Williams) may come into consideration as early as this weekend,” veteran Collingwood defender Nick Maxwell told SEN.

Williams played three quarters on the weekend in the VFL and hurt his ankle, but Magpies football director Rodney Eade said they are confident he will be available to play.

Eade was also pessimistic about Fasolo, saying his status was 50-50.

“The early prognosis is that he might miss this week,” Eade told the club website.

Utility Clinton Young suffered a corked shin in a collision with Essendon’s Paul Chapman that earned the Magpie a reprimand for rough conduct.

Eade expects Young will play against the Blues.

There is always plenty of anticipation about Collingwood-Carlton matches, but a number of factors will give this one extra spice.

After a spluttering start to the season, the Magpies have hit good form and won their last three matches.

Carlton were in dire straits with a 0-4 start, but the weekend’s great escape against West Coast was their second win in a row.

The Blues’ star free agent recruit Dale Thomas will play against his old club Collingwood for the first time.

And then there is Carlton and former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse.

Buckley revealed on Monday night that he had not spoken to Malthouse since the pre-season meeting of AFL coaches.

While Buckley stressed he has a lot of respect for his old mentor, there is clearly no love lost between them.

But Maxwell said he was thinking about the rivalry, not individuals, before the match.

“I’m more excited about playing Carlton,” he said.

“Obviously the rivalry is huge and the fans let you know about it leading up to it.

“But also if you lose, they really let you know about it because they all love beating Carlton.”

Maxwell added playing against Thomas would feel no different than going up against fellow former team-mates Sharrod Wellingham (now West Coast) and Chris Dawes (Melbourne) for the first time.

But he admitted Magpies fans might not feel the same way.

“I’m sure they’ll be cheering him every time he gets the ball,” Maxwell said with a laugh.

Maxwell added it would not bother Thomas, who has a dry sense of humour.

“He’s always been good like that, always very sarcastic,” Maxwell said.

“He’ll be saying the same thing – just a normal week, nothing really to worry about, coming up against my old team.”