NORTH Melbourne key-position players Ben Brown and Scott Thompson have been cleared of major injury and could take on Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday.

Brown injured his left knee early in the second quarter of North's 14-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night and took no further part in the game, while Thompson came from the ground with groin tightness midway through the final quarter.

North football director Geoff Walsh said on Monday morning scans had cleared Brown and Thompson of "structural damage" but added both would have to overcome soreness to take on the Hawks.

"We'll have to wait and see how they recover throughout the week as they are both still sore," Walsh told NMFC.com.au.

"They will have to prove their fitness of course, so it is a wait and see prospect as to whether they will be available for selection this weekend against the Hawks."

First-year midfielder Ryan Clarke is expected to be available this round after copping a heavy knock to the shoulder against the Bulldogs.

"There was no structural damage done and Clarkey was kept off as a precaution late in the match," Walsh said.