NORTH Melbourne's Jack Ziebell appears set to miss Friday night's vital clash with Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium with a knee problem. 

Ziebell injured his right knee in the Kangaroos' four-point loss to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last Saturday night, and AFL.com.au understands that the 23-year-old has already been ruled out of the Hawthorn clash. 

The midfielder hurt his knee early in the final term against the Lions when he clashed knees with Joel Patfull while kicking the ball. 

He played out the game with strapping and was wearing a brace at training on Wednesday to protect the knee, but will not recover in time to face the Hawks.

Ziebell missed three matches earlier in the season with a shoulder problem.