Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says Matt Scharenberg is a "potential" chance to return to the AFL fold when his team meets with North Melbourne this Saturday. 

With defender Jeremy Howe ruled out, Scharenberg could slot into the backline for his first game since Round 19 of 2018. 

“Potentially,” Buckley said of his possible inclusion. 

“He’s played a really good block of footy and had a good game on the weekend (33 disposals and 16 marks in the VFL).” 

Buckley is wary of a North Melbourne outfit who have won three of their last four games, with two of them under his former teammate, Rhyce Shaw.

“They are playing with great spirit, and really ramping up pressure on the opposition,” Buckley added. 

“They are a strong tackling side and strong contested ball side. 

“They are having a fair crack which is a good start.

“Obviously Shawry [Rhyce Shaw] has done remarkably well, and he’s handled himself brilliantly since taking the role.”