Co-captain Jy Simpkin returns to bolster the midfield as North Melbourne flies west hunting a drought-breaking win over the Eagles.

Simpkin is among four additions to the Kangaroos' squad for Sunday afternoon's game at Optus Stadium, having missed the club's past two games following his second concussion for the season, picked up against Geelong in Round 17.

Fellow midfielder Hugh Greenwood joins Simpkin in the extended squad after being named as an emergency for last week's hard-fought loss against St Kilda. Greenwood earned two coaches' votes for his last outing at reserves level in the VFL, when he laid 13 tackles and won seven clearances against the Box Hill Hawks.

Also coming in this week are utility Kayne Turner, who is chasing his first AFL start since Round 7, and mid-season draft recruit Robert Hansen jnr, who is yet to debut.

Midfield veteran Liam Shiels makes way due to a calf strain suffered against the Saints which is expected to sideline the former Hawk for 2-3 weeks. 

The final 22-player team will be confirmed on Friday at 5pm AEST.