North assistant coach Josh Drummond is optimistic North will regain talls Jarrad Waite (rested) and Daw (foot) for its clash against ladder-leader Richmond on Sunday at Etihad Stadium, after both missed the round seven win over Sydney. 

"(Daw) is tracking well, he's training today, so we're hopeful he and 'Waitey' will come up this week. It will just be how they train today," Drummond said.

"Maj has been a real positive for us this year, so we would certainly love to have him back."

Emerging defender Ed Vickers-Willis injured his right posterior cruciate ligament against the Swans when he crashed into a behind post during the final quarter.

Vickers-Willis missed the second half of last season with an injury to the same ligament and Drummond was unsure whether he would return before the end of 2018. 

"He's obviously got his scans this week and some specialist appointments, so it doesn't look great for him. But in terms of exactly what rolls out of that we'll find out in the coming days," Drummond said.

"He's been a massive positive for us up until the unfortunate injury on the weekend. He's been super, it's a real shame for him. 

"But the sort of character he is he had a bit of adversity over his first couple of years and last year and he bounced back, so this is just another little blip on the road for him. 

"He's just got to do what we'll know he'll do and get back bigger and better."