ESSENDON small forward Josh Green has been ruled out for at least two weeks after suffering a hamstring strain late in last Friday's win over St Kilda.

The former Brisbane Lions goalkicker booted two majors from 12 disposals against the Saints, but has succumbed to his second hamstring problem for the year.

He missed two weeks at the start of the season with a similar strain.

"These are low grade injuries but we’ve got to respect it as well," the club's high performance manager Justin Crow told the Bombers website.

"Normally with this you miss two weeks, but it can be as quick as one and as long as three. Our best guess is that Josh will miss a couple of weeks of footy."

The 24-year-old's injury opens the door for the Bombers to blood possible debutant Josh Begley or bring in Jayden Laverde for his first game of the season after a six-goal return in the VFL. Kyle Langford is another possible inclusion.

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Former skipper Jobe Watson will return for Saturday's meeting with North Melbourne, while Patrick Ambrose may play in the VFL after recovering from his second quad injury.

Ambrose hasn't played since Anzac Day having suffered the pair of injuries at training.

"The doctor consulted with a radiologist and they're both comfortable that it's at a state of healing where he can play, which is great news for Paddy," Crow said.

"He's done a power of work, we’re comfortable for him to play a full match and be available for selection, obviously pending main training tomorrow."