Charlie Comben, Luke Parker and Jack Darling will return to bolster North Melbourne for Sunday's Round 18 clash against Melbourne at the MCG.

Defender Comben will play after recovering from the shoulder injury which has forced him to miss the club's past two matches.

Neither Parker (rib) nor Darling (groin) were available for last Thursday night's Centenary celebration bout against the Western Bulldogs, but both have been selected to play against the Demons.

The Kangaroos will be without onballer Luke Davies-Uniacke (concussion) and sharpshooter Nick Larkey (knee).

Young forward Zane Duursma has been omitted. 

Comben has been named on the interchange bench alongside Bailey Scott, Will Phillips, Cooper Harvey and Robert Hansen jnr.

One of the five interchange players will be named substitute an hour before Sunday's 1.10pm AEST opening bounce.