North Melbourne will be without livewire Cam Zurhaar for at least two matches, after a flare-up was detected in the forward’s foot.

The 24-year-old has been a pillar in the Roos’ forward line since he returned from the concussion protocols in Round 6, having booted 14 goals in six games.

At the earliest, he will next be available for the home game against Adelaide at Blundstone Arena in Round 15.

"We've found a hotspot on his foot, so he won't play for the next couple of weeks," General Manager of Football Performance Daniel McPherson told North Media.

"We're hopeful he'll play in our first game after the bye."

Charlie Comben loomed as a likely replacement to partner Nick Larkey, having kicked three goals in a dominant performance for the reserves team on Sunday.

The third-year forward will head in for surgery however, in a plan to dispel the soreness that has troubled him this season.

"He has to have a couple of screws from a previous surgery removed from his lower leg," McPherson explained.

"Hopefully all goes well, and we'll see him back in around five or six weeks."

There is sunnier news for the rest of the Roos' key position stocks.

Defensive linchpin Ben McKay needs only to steer through Wednesday's main training session to book his place for Saturday's game against the Suns.

"Provided he gets through training tomorrow, he'll play on the weekend," McPherson qualified.

Tristan Xerri is likely to reprise his role in the ruck, despite the bloody scenes on Sunday as he left the ground and had his nose taped up.

"He's just sore. He just got a whack, he'll be right," McPherson said.

"We're fully expecting him to play."

Callum Coleman-Jones will also have to prove his fitness, having experienced soreness and missed last Sunday's VFL game against Sandringham.

"He pulled up a bit tight in the quad last weekend, prior to the game," McPherson detailed.

"He'll have to tick a few boxes at training tomorrow before he's right to play. We'll wait and see."

Phoenix Spicer's cautious rehabilitation of a hamstring injury continues to gather steam, with the 20-year-old in line to return for the reserves on the weekend.

"Phoenix will train in the main session tomorrow," McPherson added.

"(Then) the plan will be for him to play three quarters of the VFL game this weekend."

>> Click here for the full injury list, thanks to AIA Vitality