NORTH Melbourne forward Mason Wood has suffered another injury setback with a fractured left thumb set to sideline him for about three weeks.
Wood was injured in North's intraclub game last Friday when a teammate fell on his thumb after a marking contest.
The forward told North officials after the game his thumb felt "fine", but the club confirmed on Monday scans had revealed a minor fracture.
"He doesn't require surgery and the crack is very small and the injury overall a minor one," North football manager Cameron Joyce said.
"We expect him to be available for round one as he'll be able to complete all of the strength and conditioning components of the program."
Joyce said Wood would be restricted from any contact work for about three weeks.
"He will be able to do most things and we don't think it will have a major impact on his readiness for the season opener," he said.
"He's had an excellent pre-season up until now and that should hold him in good stead."
Wood's injury will rule him out of North's AFLX games on Friday and its opening JLT Community Series game against Melbourne on February 24.
The Kangaroos' second and final JLT game is against Richmond on March 7, while they open their home and away season against Gold Coast on March 24.
Wood has had a horror run of injuries since joining North in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, playing just 26 games in five seasons.
The 24-year-old is widely regarded as one of the Roos' most promising players and kicked three goals in last Friday's game before sitting out the last quarter.