Veteran defender Luke McDonald will have to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday's home game against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium after suffering a calf strain during Round 19.
North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said scans picked up the injury after McDonald played out the match against Melbourne.
"Luke had an incident of calf tightness in-game (against the Demons) but had good function and was able to continue," White said.
"Scans revealed a calf strain which will mean we will have to assess his training function."
Defender Tom Blamires could be a potential replacement if McDonald is unavailable to face the Saints. Blamires has completed the mandated AFL concussion protocols following his head knock against Collingwood in Round 18 and is on track to rejoin training, White said.
Forward Zac Banch (hamstring) and Tom Powell (groin) are also a chance of making their playing returns this week.
Banch, who was managed for last week's match against Melbourne, will have a fitness test later this week, while Powell has stepped up his training load as he recovers from the injury he reaggravated at VFL level earlier this month.
"Tom has put in a strong couple of weeks where he has really attacked his strength and on-field football conditioning," White said.
"He will be in discussions early this week around returning to play based on his symptoms and his recovery from a high-loading weekend session."
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SECURE YOUR SEATSIn a blow for Zane Duursma, the third-year forward suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's VFL game against Casey and could be set for surgery.
"Zane sustained a shoulder subluxation episode," White said.
"He will have a surgical consult to determine whether a procedure is necessary to stabilise that joint."
Callum Coleman-Jones will be tested this week after suffering persistent ankle discomfort during Sunday's VFL match.
The big Roo was removed from the game at half-time and his recovery and ankle function will be monitored, White said.
Meanwhile, George Wardlaw (hamstring) is expected to rejoin group training this week while he continues to build his strength and conditioning.
"All going well, by next week he will look to have cleared all major 'return to play' markers of speed, acceleration and strength," White said.
Injury List
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