North Melbourne's decision to send Shaun Higgins in for minor knee surgery has paid off with the veteran only missing one game, as planned.

Higgins returns to the side this weekend to take on his former club, the Bulldogs.

Higgins missed Round 20 against Brisbane, but has proven his fitness and pulled up well from training ahead of a crucial match.

The 30-year-old will take the spot of Nathan Hrovat who has been omitted from last week's 22.

Hrovat will be an emergency along with Luke Davies-Uniacke, Tom Murphy and Declan Mountford.