NORTH Melbourne remains hopeful Daniel Wells' latest injury setback is calf-related, rather than a recurrence of his long-term Achilles issue, but more will be known after scans on Monday.
The 30-year-old's bid to be fit in time for the Kangaroos' finals campaign took a hit after he limped off the ground during the third quarter of North Ballarat's win over Coburg on Saturday.
Wells had ice strapped to the back of his lower left leg and sat out the rest of the match.
On Sunday, a North Melbourne spokesman said the club expected to know more about the severity of Wells' latest injury on Monday.
The spokesman said the club remained hopeful the midfielder's setback was calf-related and not a re-aggravation of the Achilles injury that has sidelined him since round two.
The match was Wells' third straight appearance at VFL level, having played two games for the Roosters and one for Werribee's development squad.
Kangaroos chairman James Brayshaw acknowledged the club was running out of time to have Wells match-fit in time for the finals series.
"(We're) desperately trying to get enough footy into him so he can push to play, but if you get into September … and you're not 100 per cent fit, then you just can't," Brayshaw told Channel Nine on Sunday.
On Thursday, North coach Brad Scott said Wells' Achilles was pulling up "better and better" in recent weeks following each training session and match.
Scott said Wells was in a better position compared to the same time last year, when he featured in two of the last three matches after a four-month absence with a foot injury, before playing in the Roos' three finals.
"He's actually done more work in terms of physical load than he'd done this time last year, and he played well in the finals last year," Scott said.