STAR midfielder Nick Dal Santo will consult a specialist this week about the left hamstring injury that threatens to sideline him from North Melbourne's clash with Port Adelaide this Saturday - and possibly longer.
Dal Santo was one of three injury concerns to come out of North's win over the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, with Daniel Wells substituted from the game at half-time with Achilles tendon soreness and Scott Thompson suffering a sprained ankle.
Jamie Macmillan was also a late withdrawal before the game with Achilles soreness.
North football director Geoff Walsh told NMFC.com.au that the club was hopeful all four players would be fit to take on the Power. But Dal Santo remains in the biggest doubt after scans on Monday confirmed he had injured his hamstring.
"We will seek a specialist’s opinion and track his progress this week before determining a timeframe for his recovery," Walsh said.
Dal Santo was injured midway through the third quarter of the Lions win and took no further part in the game. Wells spent the second half of Sunday's game on the interchange bench with ice on his Achilles, but his scans on Monday delivered better news.
"Daniel’s Achilles is clear and he will be managed throughout the week. We remain hopeful that he will be available to play this weekend," Walsh said.
Scott Thompson hurt his ankle in the first quarter but, after leaving the ground for a short time to receive treatment, he returned and played the rest of the game.
"Scott sprained his ankle and we remain hopeful that he will be available," Walsh said.
Walsh said Macmillan was also "a chance" to return against the Power.
"Jamie had low-level soreness in his Achilles following training last week," Walsh said.
Shaun Higgins told reporters on Tuesday that Ryan Bastinac was among the leading contenders to replace Dal Santo if he was ruled out of Saturday night's game.
"We've got a number of guys (who could come in), our depth is really good," Higgins said. "Bastinac went out of the side (after round one) so he'll obviously be in contention, but there are a number of other guys.
"I think we'll just wait and see how it plays out with Nick."