Daniel Wells is on track to return from injury and boost North Melbourne for Friday night's blockbuster against the Sydney Swans, with the classy onballer expected to take part in the Kangaroos' main training session on Wednesday.
Wells is on the mend after a recurrence of Achilles soreness that ruined his 2015 campaign kept him out of the undefeated Roos' win over Carlton on Saturday night.
The 31-year-old, who has sat out the past two matches after initially battling a corked quad, only needs to prove himself at Wednesday's session with North facing a short turnaround before the SCG clash.
"We had match committee last night and the report from our medical team was that he would train (on Wednesday)," director of football Geoff Walsh told SEN.
"We've got a six-day turnaround, so there won't be a hell of a lot of time on the training track, but tomorrow will be our main session and the report was we expect Daniel to train fully, so that's good news.
"If he gets through training, that's what we're looking for, then he'll play."
The news isn't as positive for tagger Ben Jacobs, who will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair a stress fracture in his fifth metatarsal.
Jacobs developed soreness after the win over Essendon two weeks ago and could be out of action for two months or more.
"He'll have the surgery later today. It's probably a six-to-eight-week process, depending on how well the bone heals," Walsh said.
"I think it's something that if it heals well, it's six or seven weeks, and a bit longer if it's a bit slower."
North could regain Mason Wood from concussion this week, while Lachie Hansen might also be available after two weeks on the sidelines after a head knock.
Defender Sam Wright (ankle) was listed as a test for the Blues clash and could also return for North's most testing patch of the season after missing the past three games.
The league-leading Roos will face a stern examination of their premiership credentials against the Swans (away), Richmond, Geelong, Hawthorn and Adelaide (away) before the bye.
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