Collingwood dealt health scare as Covid and flu hit Magpies HQ ahead of King's Holiday clash

Collingwood's preparations for the blockbuster clash against Melbourne on Monday have been disrupted by a bout of flu that has sidelined Josh Daicos.

Daicos and his brother Nick have been key figures in the Magpies' success this season, with Collingwood top of the ladder with 11 wins in 12 rounds, and are in line to earn All-Australian honours.

News of Daicos' illness comes after a number of Collingwood players reported contracting Covid-19 or flu over the past two weeks.

Last week, coach Craig McRae stayed away from the players in the lead-up to the Magpies' trip to Perth.

'Weve had a bit of virus. I got it last week and its just going through the place,' he said this week.