North Melbourne stars Daniel Wells and Jarrad Waite are pushing to return for the crucial trip to face West Coast in Perth, with both players training at Arden Street on Monday.

Wells was ruled out of the Kangaroos' defeat to Adelaide – the club's fourth defeat in five matches – before the bye due to a calf complaint and the silky-smooth onballer's running power would be a welcome addition on the long Domain Stadium oval.

The 30-year-old needed some attention late in North's loss to Hawthorn in round 13 and couldn't get up to face the Crows coming off only a six-day break.

Before missing that clash, Wells strung together an outstanding three-game stretch, averaging 30 disposals, more than four tackles and a goal per game.

Waite will have had a month off to recover from a hip ailment should he return against West Coast on Sunday, in a rematch of last year's preliminary final.

The veteran forward had been carrying the problem and admitted he shouldn't have played Geelong on June 11, with the 33-year-old then sitting out defeats to the Hawks and Crows before the bye.

After an outstanding start to the year netted him 27 goals in nine games and pushed him into All Australian contention, Waite went goalless against the Swans, Tigers and Cats before he was sidelined with his hip issue.

While Wells and Waite still have to prove their fitness with a main session on Thursday, regaining the experienced duo would be a huge boost for the Kangas, who have slipped from the top of the ladder to seventh over the past three rounds.

Brad Scott's men are still only percentage (22.6) off second spot and victory over West Coast would keep them firmly in the top-four hunt, while the Eagles' hopes of a finals double chance are essentially on the line against the Roos.

Meanwhile, North small forward Kayne Turner will start his club-imposed four-game suspension from the senior side for drink driving if, as expected, he returns from a hamstring injury for Werribee against Port Melbourne in the VFL on Sunday.

The Roos are also set to confirm Luke McDonald's expected recovery time from hamstring surgery this week, with the tough defender likely to be racing the clock to return this season.



For more NMFC injury news and the full injury list, visit the Anytime Fitness Health Hub