The return of Daniel Wells and Nick Dal Santo will be key for North Melbourne’s ball use this week, says Brad Scott.

Against a Port Adelaide side desperate to remain in the finals hunt, the midfield pair and Jarrad Waite will provide a welcome boost to the North line-up.

“Wellsy and Dal up-field will give us better use going into the forward half, but certainly Waitey, working with our other forwards, will help as well,” Scott told NMFC.com.au.

“It’s not just an individual thing, we’ve had to work as a team on the way we want to move the ball forward and we’ve certainly done that throughout the week.”

After Wells and Waite were so close to returning against West Coast last week, they’re raring to go against the Power.

“It would have been slightly risky to play them last week, based on the preparation they’ve had.

“We feel the extra week, and the really good block of training they’ve got in, means they can come in and perform to their best.”

On the surface, it appears as though North’s six-day break and a return from Perth will be a disadvantage compared to Port’s nine days off.

Scott believes other factors help to essentially minimise any differences in preparation.

“The fact that we came off a bye for the West Coast game meant that we’ve had our chance to mentally and physically rejuvenate,” he said.

“The guys have done that and they’ve responded really well on the track this week.

“Certainly if (Thursday’s) main session is anything to go by, they’ll be ready to go regardless of the break.”

Ed Vickers-Willis is a player who makes his first appearance in North’s squad since arriving at Arden Street.

Although the second-year Roo has only been named as an emergency, it’s nevertheless a validation for his form in the VFL since returning from a long-term injury.

“We brought him into the squad because we really feel like he’s knocking on the door for senior selection,” Scott said.

“He’s played some really good roles in the VFL. I’m really confident he would have been in this position and in the senior team before now had he not had two shoulder surgeries.

“He’s a player we regard really highly and he certainly deserves his chance to come into the squad.”