North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin will return to the line-up after just one game on the sidelines.

The 24-year-old suffered a broken hand in the Kangaroos' Gather Round loss to Brisbane, and went under the knife the following Tuesday.

Having successfully negotiated the post-op period and trained on Thursday, Simpkin will reprise his usual role at the centre bounce against Melbourne.

He'll be joined in the team by triple premiership player Liam Shiels, who was the substitute in Sunday's game against Gold Coast, and ruck-forward Callum Coleman-Jones.

It will be Coleman-Jones' first senior match since Round 22, 2022 when he collected 11 disposals, 11 hitouts and a goal against Adelaide.

The former Tiger was felled by a plantar fascia tear in a VFL practice match in February, but his diligent approach to his rehabilitation hastened his return to play.

His 14 disposals, 24 hitouts and two goals against the Suns' reserves sealed his passage back to the seniors.

Onballer Will Phillips makes way, having been substituted in the third term on Sunday.

Darcy Tucker and Daniel Howe have also been omitted after four and five consecutive matches in the team, respectively.

The three outs will make up the emergency list, along with Hugh Greenwood.

One of the four will be selected as the tactical substitute an hour before the bounce on Saturday night.