One look at Scott Thompson on Wednesday was enough to make up Rhyce Shaw's mind.

"He looks like he's been riding bareback for the last four weeks," Shaw laughed.

Fortunately for the North Melbourne defender, it means he won't have to go through what would have been a gruelling fitness test after suffering a ruptured testicle last week.

Unfortunately, it also means he will miss Saturday's daunting clash with West Coast.

"He had a little bit of surgery during the week," Shaw said.

"We've ruled him out, just to be safe. I don't think it's fair that he tries to get up for it.

"I had a think about it overnight, that it was probably pushing the friendship to try to get him up. I think he was relieved more than anything that he doesn't have to train."

Thompson was accidentally kicked by Brisbane's Allen Christensen during the third quarter of last Saturday night's clash, but bravely played out the game under incredible duress.

He had a procedure to reduce the swelling of his testicle on Sunday night, with the club initially not ruling him of the trip to Western Australia.

However, for all of his efforts, Shaw believes Thompson deserves the rest.

"The doctor was saying on the bench that he was in a world of hurt," Shaw said.

"But he said, 'get me back out there'. He reckons there was no pain when he was out there, but when he stopped he was in excruciating pain.

"For him to get through, it was an amazing effort. It really helped us stay in the game. It was a really good effort and I think he deserves the week off."

North Melbourne believes Thompson will return to training after the weekend and will be back in contention for the club's round 20 clash with Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.

In his absence, the Kangaroos could recall forward Taylor Garner from a four-week internal suspension following his alleged involvement in a Sydney bar fight last month.

Garner has been performing strongly in the VFL throughout his punishment, while he has also been completing one month worth of full-time work outside the club.

"Taylor's suspension finishes this week," Shaw said.

"We'll have to go through a few hoops in terms of training and ticking off some protocols, but he should be available to play."