DEFENDER Sam Wright does not expect his latest ankle setback to sideline him for North Melbourne's entire JLT Community Series campaign, saying he hopes to play at least one game in the pre-season competition.

Wright resumed running before Christmas after undergoing an off-season operation on the left ankle that sidelined him for all bar one VFL game after round 11 last season.

However, the 26-year-old then started to experience soreness in his right ankle, with scans revealing some floating bone around the joint.

Wright underwent another operation to alleviate this problem shortly before North's Christmas break, but told NMFC.com.au this week his 2017 preparations hadn't been disrupted too severely.

"I was back running and just wasn't feeling quite right, so I went in and got a scan and it showed a bit of bone (around the right ankle) but (the operation) has only put me back two or three weeks hopefully," he said.

"I'm back running now so (I'm) still looking forward to a full season and getting fit again.

"(I'm) still looking to play at least one [JLT Community Series] game, but the most important thing is that I get back to full strength and full fitness."

Despite starting his career at Arden St in attack, Wright has played his best football since being allowed to settle in defence.

The former Murray Bushranger struggled in 2013 and the first half of 2014 when he alternated between the backline and a defensive forward role, spending extended stints in the VFL.

But he established himself as a key member of North's back six late in 2014 and carried that form into the following season, when he finished a career-best ninth in the Roos' best and fairest award.

Wright is confident he can recapture that form when he returns to the field.

"I feel like I know what makes me a good footballer now and I think I have that consistency now, so it's just about getting back to full fitness because I know when I'm fit I'm playing my best footy," Wright said.

"That's the most important thing for me. Whether I miss one or two [JLT Community Series] games, it's all about getting a mini pre-season in now because once the season starts you're chasing your tail if you're not fit."