NORTH Melbourne won't be able to count on injured star Daniel Wells returning to bolster its finals push anytime soon, with the midfielder potentially still nearly a month away from resuming.
Wells has been sidelined by a foot injury since the Kangaroos' round five loss to Collingwood and his progress has been painfully slow for North supporters.
While the 29-year-old has increased his workload at training, coach Brad Scott has admitted the Roos still can't be certain when Wells will make his long-awaited comeback.
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"He's completed a number of main sessions and he's over the injury now, so it's a matter of getting him conditioned and ready to play," Scott said on Friday.
"We're really hopeful that's not too far away. But we've got to be careful that we don't put him in because our side looks better on paper.
"We've got to make sure that he's ready to play his best footy when he comes back in.
"Whether that's one, two or three weeks we'll just have to continue to monitor him.
"It's been frustrating for 'Wellsy' and for all North people, but the light's at the end of the tunnel now."
Wells is the biggest name among a host of important Kangaroos on the comeback trail.
Key defender Nathan Grima (foot) is set to front up for his first game since round seven in the VFL on Saturday, while Joel Tippett (torn pectoral), Jamie McMillan (broken leg) are one to two weeks away.
With small forward Robin Nahas (shoulder) also edging closer to a return, Scott is confident North has plenty of room for improvement.
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"There's a lot of upside of potential for us but there's a risk associated with that too, that we've got a lot of players coming back at the same time," he said.
"Wells has had more volume of work on the track than those guys, so he's probably the only one we would consider not bringing back through the VFL at the moment."
The Roos sorely missed the type of run and carry that Wells provides in its disappointing 23-point loss to Carlton in round 18.
Scott blasted his side for playing "safe" football after the defeat and he will encourage his team to take the game on in their crucial clash against Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The Roos have not lost consecutive matches this season, but face the prospect of dropping outside the top eight if they can't overcome the Cats.
"We've planned really well, prepared really well," Scott said.
"We know anything less than our best won't be good enough, but we're confident of producing it."
