Geelong midfielder Cam Guthrie looks likely to miss Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne.

A late withdrawal from the Cats’ Round 1 team, Guthrie’s calf injury appears to be making slow progress.

Chris Scott told media that Geelong would take a conservative approach with the 24-year-old.

"It's still early in our preparation, so it’s hard to get clarity, but one thing's for sure we will be really conservative with him," Scott said.

"He's had a couple of minor issues. It's two in a month now. 

"We would treat all our players cautiously in these circumstances, but he's been a very, very good player for us and we need to make sure when he comes back he's ready to perform at 100 per cent.

"Now that involves conditioning as well, given he's missed a fair portion of training."

On field, the Cats’ coach is wary of a North side which has shown impressive glimpses of form during 2017.

“If you look at the objective numbers, they were 10 points up in Canberra against GWS, who are obviously a very good team.

“They beat Hawthorn, they looked to have West Coast, who I think are the best team in the competition right now, on the ropes early in the game on the weekend.

“They’re missing some personnel when you compare them to last year, but clearly their football at times this year has been at a high level.

“It’s a challenge for us.”