STAR KANGAROOS Daniel Wells and Jarrad Waite remain in doubt for North Melbourne's crucial clash with fellow finals contender West Coast at Domain Stadium on Sunday.
Wells (calf) missed North Melbourne's loss against Adelaide in round 14, while Waite (hip) was sidelined for two rounds ahead of the Roos' bye last weekend.
North coach Brad Scott did not give much away when asked about the pair's fitness by reporters ahead of training on Thursday.
"They look OK. We'll name our side tonight and finalise it tomorrow," Scott said.
Match preview: West Coast v North Melbourne
Asked whether Wells and Waite had completed full training sessions over North's extended break since its loss to the Crows, Scott said: "They've just completed their rehabilitation as planned and set out, so everything's on track."
When asked whether North would name the star duo, Scott refused to guarantee their selection.
"We've still got a few things that we're mulling over, so we'll name the squad as per the regulations and finalise it Friday," he said.
Waite took part in North's main training session on Thursday and looked to move well in contested drills, but Wells was restricted to gym work.
North has been conservative with injured players this season, particularly Wells who entered 2016 on the back of two injury-plagued years.
Scott has often said this year the Roos won't play anyone who is not at least close to full fitness.
Wells' run was a key part of North's 9-0 start to 2016 and he would be sorely missed against the Eagles on the spacious Domain Stadium, while Waite's ability to return to his sizzling form of the first nine rounds – he kicked 27 goals – will be crucial to North's ability to arrest its recent slide from first to seventh.
Scott defended the form of veteran Drew Petrie despite a lean run in which the spearhead kicked 19 goals from the first 14 rounds.
The Roos coach said he had yet to discuss 2017 with Petrie, who this week declared his desire to play on next season.
However, Scott said Petrie remained an important part of North's forward line and just had to continue playing his role for the team in the second half of the season.
"We've played him in various forward roles this year, we've used him as a pressure forward at various stages because he still ranks right up there amongst the best pressure key forwards in the competition," Scott said.
"But he's still playing a really important role for us. I'm sure if you ask opposition coaches, he's the forward they're most worried about, so I'm pleased with what he's doing.
"Could his output be greater? Well that depends on the team because we've always talked about the offensive unit and if we're scoring we don't care who's kicking the goals as long as the team is."
Scott said North was "refreshed and ready to play" after its round 15 bye, but dismissed suggestions Sunday's clash against the eight-placed Eagles was a chance to signal it was not on the slide after losing four of its past five matches.
