The injury woes of North Melbourne’s VFL side look to be in the rear-view mirror, with a number of established players returning to the side to take on Essendon on Saturday.

AFL-listed, Patrick Walker, and VFL captain, Flynn Appleby, both make their returns to the backline after overcoming a hip injury and concussion respectively

Mathew Walker has overcome the rib injury that forced his hospitalisation against Southport two weeks ago.

Ben Speight and Josh Clayton were also unable to complete the Southport clash due to both suffering hamstring injuries, but both look set to return against the Bombers.

An extended interchange has been named, with development players Hamish Dick and Callum Kilpatrick lining up alongside AFL-listed talent Tristan Xerri, Atu Bosenavulagi, Bailey Scott and Will Phillips.

Eddie Ford is the final AFL-listed player to be named, with the talented first-year player taking up his usual position in the forward line.

Catch the game live on 7+ from 2:05pm AEDT.

IN: P. Walker, F Appleby, M Walker, J Clayton, B Speight, H Dick, C Kilpatrick
OUT: H Jones, M Hodge, T Donnelly, M Massarotti, T Leiu.

B:     52. J Heron 65. H Gunther 64. L Cunningham
HB    33. P Walker 81. H Murphy 82. F Appleby
C:     57. H Jones 53. C Byrne 56. K Answerth
HF:   68. J Watkins 73. A Polidoros 70. B Speight
F:      58. J Menzie 40. E Ford 46. M Walker      
R:     63. M Baker 61. J Clayton 51. L Young
Int:  85. H Dick 38. T Xerri 15. A Bosenavulagi
        71. C Kilpatrick 29. W Phillips 8. B Scott