Experienced defender Phil Davis and star midfielder Tim Taranto will return to the side to take on Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

The duo join forward Daniel Lloyd and midfielder Xavier O’Halloran as inclusions for the trip to Melbourne in round 15.

Taranto returns from a back injury that has sidelined him since round nine while Davis injured his hamstring tendon in round two.

“It’s a good effort by our medical team and staff,” said coach Mark McVeigh.

“Tim was battling with a back injury for a while there and played in the VFL. He was scheduled to play two quarters but played three and felt really good. He trained really well this week so he’s an automatic selection. 

“Phil was a tougher selection just because of the nature of the injury he had and having 10 weeks out. He’s been back in the VFL for one game but one thing not everyone would know about Phil is that his preparation is as good as anyone.

“We take great confidence in his preparation and also we take great confidence in what he’s done for our club for a long period of time.”

Lloyd also returns for the first time since round two too, when he fractured his arm against Richmond.

“Lloydy was able to put in a huge amount of running throughout the period so it takes away some nervousness,” McVeigh said.

“We know he’s done the work, it was just the contact he had to tick off and he’s done that. He’s a reliable role player that we dearly need in our team.”

O’Halloran comes in for his eighth game of the season.

“Xavier knows exactly what he needs to do to be a consistent AFL player and we’ve continued to educate him and work with him,” McVeigh said.

“He’s very popular amongst the coaches and the playing group, we’re desperate for him to make it and we think he can. 

“He’s just got to put together some games at a consistent level which is what we’re working on but he certainly has the tools and we’re looking forward to seeing that this weekend.”

Out of the side are James Peatling (hamstring), Ryan Angwin (leg), Braydon Preuss (suspension) and Zach Sproule (omitted).

After being involved in the highest-scoring game of the season against the Western Bulldogs last weekend, McVeigh said his side is looking to step up against the Magpies.

“Knowing that we’ve tried to move the ball quicker, we knew we’d get opened up a little bit but it’s still something that we’re not entirely happy about and we’ve worked really hard on our defence.”

The GIANTS take on Collingwood on Sunday at 3:20pm at the MCG.