Hawthorn midfielder Liam Shiels will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a wrist injury, having hurt himself in the thumping NAB Challenge win over North Melbourne on Saturday.

The Hawks' football department chief Chris Fagan confirmed scans on Sunday had revealed a hairline fracture in Shiels' wrist.

Sidelined: Liam Shiels has a fractured wrist. Credit:Getty Images

"Scans yesterday revealed Liam has a hairline fracture in his right wrist," Fagan told the Hawks' website.

"What that effectively means is he'll be out for somewhere between four to six weeks.

"Liam has had a really good pre-season to date and it's a disappointing result at this stage of the year."

Shiels, who averaged 22 disposals per game last year, clutched his wrist after diving to the turf in the third quarter against the Roos.

He will join key forward Jarryd Roughead on the sidelines during the early part of the season.