TODD Goldstein is firming to return for North Melbourne's second pre-season game against Hawthorn, while defenders Robbie Tarrant and Lachy Hansen could play in the Roos' opening JLT Community Series game against Sydney on Sunday.

Goldstein (ankle) has been on a restricted program since Christmas but has been building towards a return against the Hawks at Arden St on February 26. 

North senior assistant coach Leigh Tudor told reporters on Wednesday Goldstein's recent work on the track suggested he would be fit to take on Hawthorn.

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"He's really ramped up his preparation so hopefully 'Drummo' (North assistant coach Josh Drummond) gets him next week (for the Hawthorn game)," Tudor said. 

Vice-captain Tarrant (back) and Hansen (corked leg) both missed North's intraclub practice match last Friday.

Tudor will coach North against the Swans at Coffs Harbour – senior coach Brad Scott has handed over the coaching reins for the first two games of the JLT series, with assistant coach Josh Drummond to lead the Roos against Hawthorn – and is hopeful he will have Hansen and Tarrant at his disposal.

"Lachy is a chance this week and 'Taz' is this week (too). Taz will be back in full training, so he might be a little bit further (advanced) but there are a lot of guys almost ready to get in too," Tudor said. 

"Lachy just got a good corkie, then got another one. Taz is the same, he's just been a bit slow in his progression, but they're not far away."

North has one of the longer injury lists in the competition on the eve of the JLT series, with talls Majak Daw (knee) and Ben Brown (knee), Sam Wright (ankles), Sam Gibson (hamstring), Ben Jacobs (foot), Jed Anderson (AC joint), Taylor Garner (hip) and Jy Simpson (broken leg) also sidelined.

Tudor said Brown and Daw had experienced "no hiccups in their rehab" from recent surgeries and were in line to return before the end of the JLT series. 

Despite the Roos' extensive injury list, Tudor was not concerned the Roos would be underdone for their round one clash against West Coast on March 26. 

"You always like to have everyone up and about, but it is what it is," he said. 

"There are guys on programs that over the next week or two will be back in full training. We should have a pretty good list ready for round one."

Tudor said talls Braydon Preuss, Sam Durdin and Ben McKay were among the youngsters in line for selection against the Swans.