Jack Higgins could line up against North Melbourne, pending a fitness test this week.

The small forward has been managing a knee complaint this season, having taken the past two weeks off to recuperate.

“We’re confident Jack will have benefited from this rest and we’re hopeful for his return this week,” Acting General Manager of Football David Misson said.

“It’s going to be an injury we continue to manage, but the aim of giving him this break was to enable him to play out the remainder of 2023 reasonably unimpeded.”

Zaine Cordy continues to recover from a concussion received in last week’s game against Melbourne and remains in doubt to return this week.

Meanwhile, Jack Billings is racing the clock to return from thumb surgery.

“We’ll give Jack every opportunity to prove his fitness this week, but we won’t rush him back if he’s not ready,” Misson said.

Leaders Tim Membrey (knee) and Seb Ross (hamstring) remain at least a month away, while Max King is progressing well following a shoulder arthroscope last week.

Injury list