LUKE McDonald is in doubt for North Melbourne's clash against Hawthorn on Sunday because of hamstring soreness, while Mason Wood's bid for a senior recall could be delayed by a wrist injury. 

North is confident McDonald will play against the Hawks at Etihad Stadium, but the defender will first have to pass a fitness test.

"Luke came off late in the game last weekend against Carlton a bit tight, but there's nothing too serious with that one," Kangaroos football manager Cameron Joyce told nmfc.com.au.

"He trained today and should be cleared to play." 

Wood, who is yet to play a senior game this season, was injured in the VFL on the weekend. 

Wood had scans on his wrist on Tuesday, which revealed no serious damage, but the forward will also have to pass a fitness test to play this round. 

In a boost for the Roos, injury-prone forward Taylor Garner (groin) is on track to return for his first game of the season in the VFL on Saturday, while first-year midfielder Kyron Hayden is expected to pull on the royal blue and white for the first time in the same game after recovering from shoulder surgery late last year.  

Both Garner and Hayden just have to get through training this week to rubber-stamp their returns. 

"All things going well, we expect Taylor to play limited game-time against Frankston," Joyce said. 

"We've been very cautious with him as previously stated, but he's really turned the corner in recent weeks.

"We weren't prepared to risk Kyron until he had adequate strength and full range of motion in his shoulder.

"He's worked really hard to get himself into a position to play and it will be exciting to see him out there on Saturday." 

Hayden, 19, is a big-bodied midfielder from Western Australia, who the Kangaroos selected at pick No.62 in last year's NAB AFL Draft.