North Melbourne has a decision to make on Ben Brown's sidekick in attack, with Nick Larkey to miss at least this week's clash with Greater Western Sydney.

As AFL.com.au reported a fortnight ago, Larkey developed a "hot spot" in his left foot and the Kangaroos were treating the problem cautiously.

They have since chosen to rule out the 22-year-old, and club football boss Brady Rawlings offered no guarantee he would be ready to play next week.

North could turn to untried pair Tristan Xerri and Lachie Hosie or out-of-favour swingman Mason Wood, who started the pre-season trying to reinvent himself as a defender.

Xerri, who stands 201cm, was an impressive pre-season performer and, like Larkey, can play up forward and in the ruck.

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Coach Rhyce Shaw may even opt to play Jack Ziebell as a stay-at-home forward, which he's excelled at previously, while Ben Cunnington kicked two match-winning goals in round one after switching into attack.

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"We've got a number of guys that have come back in pretty good nick and are looking to put their hand up," Shaw told reporters.

"It is disappointing about 'Souva' (Larkey) but he's doing everything he can to get back as quick as possible, so I'm really pleased with where he's at, considering the injury.

"But we've got a number of options we can go with and I'm really excited about that as well."

Larkey joins fellow senior regulars Majak Daw (pectoral strain), Kayne Turner (sesamoid bone in foot), Luke Davies-Uniacke (groin), Taylor Garner (hamstring) and Ed Vickers-Willis (turf toe) on the sidelines.

Daves-Uniacke is set to resume training with the main group this week after eight weeks of running without pain.

Draftees Charlie Comben (back stress fracture and knee) and Flynn Perez (knee) are also on the comeback trail from injury.