STAR North Melbourne midfielder Shaun Higgins will miss at least one week after undergoing knee surgery on Monday night.
Higgins pulled up sore after his 200th game, which came in North's win over West Coast last Sunday at Blundstone Arena.
North football chief Cameron Joyce said on Tuesday Higgins' surgery was "very minor", with the reigning best and fairest winner a chance to return for the round 21 clash against the Western Bulldogs.
"Shaun had a very minor arthroscopic procedure on his right knee last night," Joyce told North Media.
"We're very confident he will only be out for the one week, and expect him to be fit to play against the Bulldogs in round 21.
"Getting this procedure done now will enable him to finish off the year strongly."
The 10th-placed Kangaroos travel to the Gabba this round to take on Brisbane on Saturday, knowing they could need to win all of their remaining four games to claw their way back into the top eight for the finals.
After round 19, they sat a game and almost 10 percentage points behind eighth-placed Geelong.
Losing Higgins for the Lions clash is a big blow given the 30-year-old has been in career-best form, averaging 27.4 possessions and 5.4 clearances a game.
