NORTH Melbourne will not hide behind its growing injury list as it seeks to salvage a frustrating start to the season.

Acting captain Drew Petrie said the make-up of the side wouldn't affect its endeavour as it sought to bounce back from successive defeats.

Skipper Brent Harvey (dislocated elbow) and defender Lachie Hansen (hamstring) were injured against Richmond in round five, while fellow backman Daniel Pratt (knee) was forced from the field in Friday night's loss to Collingwood.

However, small forward Matt Campbell (hamstring) and midfielder Daniel Wells (hip) are nearing full fitness and may return against Port Adelaide at Docklands this week.

"Injuries certainly don't help but you can't rest on those," Petrie said from Arden Street on Tuesday.

"We still go out there with 22 fit players and our start on the weekend wasn't too bad. We just didn't follow through."

Petrie said the efforts of 2009 debutants Jack Ziebell and Levi Greenwood had provided some on-field positives for the club in recent weeks.

With its first 11 games in Victoria, North had hoped a string of victories would help set up its season ahead of six road trips between rounds 12 and 22.

And despite two wins from six games, Petrie said that opportunity hadn't been lost.

"With five games to play in Melbourne, we're still able to do that," he said. "The back half of the season will be tough and travelling every second week makes it hard but I think it builds character as well.

"If you want to play in the finals, then you have to win interstate. It's a good test."

North had lost four of its previous five matches when it beat Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 15 last year and Petrie said his teammates would take some heart from that performance.

He also acknowledged the round 22 loss to the Power that saw the Roos lose fourth spot and a double chance in the finals.

"We definitely owe them one and will be trying to replicate what other sides have done against them this year," he said.