JAYDEN Laverde could return for Essendon's clash with North Melbourne on Saturday, with the Bombers confident they will avoid any complacency against the 17th-placed Kangaroos.

Laverde hasn't played this season after undergoing ankle surgery for an uncommon injury he suffered in the pre-season JLT Community Series, but kicked six goals on the weekend in his third VFL game since returning.

The exciting and speedy half-forward could come in to replace small forward Josh Green, who will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered in last week's win over St Kilda.

Possible debutant Josh Begley, who has been in good form in his first season at the club, is also in line for selection for the Kangaroos contest.

"[Laverde's] a big chance to come into the side on that form," said coach John Worsfold on Wednesday.

"He's looking really solid. It's a credit to the program he ran when he was injured to be out that long and come back in and impact so quickly.

"We've had Josh Begley available and ready to go on the verge in the last number of weeks as well, so he's definitely one we'll look at. [Kyle] Langford and [Ben] Howlett have all been good performers as well."

Worsfold said he thought the likes of Laverde and Begley could be "like-for-like" replacements for Green, who kicked two goals last week to take his tally to 15 goals in his first season at Essendon.

Essendon is aiming to win three games in a row for the first time since the middle of 2014 with a victory over the Roos, who have won five of the past six games over their rivals.

The Bombers can't afford to drop any games they are expected to win if their bid for a finals spot is to be successful, particularly after losses to Carlton and the Brisbane Lions this season in games they have entered as red-hot favourites.

But Worsfold is optimistic his team will be prepared for clash after last week's strong win over fellow top-eight hopefuls the Saints.

"If we're not consistent then the finals will take care of themselves – we won't be there," he said.

"Our focus, and it's not a worry, is on building consistency and challenging ourselves to play at the more elite level and have less drop-off to our different performances week to week."