RICHMOND remains certain defender David Astbury will play in Friday night's preliminary final against Collingwood, despite battling a minor cold this week.

Astbury was a notable absentee from the club's final training session at Punt Road on Thursday, having been sent home earlier in the day due to his illness.

He remains struck down and will be given all of Friday to prove his fitness.

However, the Tigers were confident Astbury's illness wouldn't keep him out of the side on Thursday night – naming him in the team – with their position unchanged on Friday morning.

"They (medicos) weren't too concerned, and to be fair today they're not too worried that it will keep him out," Richmond’s General Manager – Football, Neil Balme told the Herald Sun today. 

"But it won't be until he's up and about later today (that it'll be decided)."

Defenders Ryan Garthwaite and Brandon Ellis are on the club's list of four emergencies for the match, alongside ruckman Ivan Soldo and midfielder Sam Lloyd.

Garthwaite, 20, is the only key defender among them and would appear the most likely replacement should Astbury not recover in time for the match.