FIRST-ROUND draft pick Jy Simpkin is firming to debut for North Melbourne against Hawthorn on Sunday, as the Kangaroos continue to battle one of the competition's longest injury lists.
Simpkin has been on a modified program this summer as he prepares to return from a broken leg he suffered last April.
But the No.12 draft pick of 2016 has recently returned to full training and, after impressing in match simulation, is a strong chance to play in North's JLT Community Series clash against the Hawks at Arden St, provided he passes a fitness test.
North released an updated injury list on Wednesday evening, which listed Todd Goldstein (ankle), Robbie Tarrant (back), Scott Thompson (adductor), Majak Daw (knee) and Lachlan Hansen (quad) as 'tests' to make their returns from injury against Hawthorn.
Emerging forward Mason Wood suffered a minor ankle injury in North's JLT win over Sydney last Sunday, and is another who will have to prove his fitness to take on the Hawks.
North Melbourne injury list
Todd Goldstein (ankle, test)
Robbie Tarrant (back, test)
Scott Thompson (adductor, test)
Mason Wood (ankle, test)
Jy Simpkin (leg, test)
Majak Daw (knee, test)
Lachlan Hansen (quad, test)
Daniel Nielson (quad, test)
Ben Jacobs (foot, 1 week)
Aaron Mullett (chest infection, 2 weeks)
Ben Brown (knee, 2 weeks)
Sam Wright (ankle/foot, 3 weeks)
Jed Anderson (shoulder, 4 weeks)
Taylor Garner (hip, 4 weeks)
Oscar Junker (broken tibia, 3-4 months)
Paul Ahern* (ACL, season)
