BEN JACOBS is highly unlikely to play this Sunday against the Western Bulldogs, but North Melbourne coach Brad Scott is "very optimistic" the run-with midfielder will return next week in what would be a huge boost to the Roos' finals bid.

Jacobs has been battling concussion symptoms since North's round 12 loss to Geelong, having played just once since then and been a late withdrawal from the Roos' selected team three times.

Two weeks ago, the Kangaroos decided to restrict the run-with midfielder's training until his concussion symptoms had completely subsided.

Scott told reporters on Thursday Jacobs was back in training and almost back to full health.

"I think this week again will be a stretch because he's not down to do much training today. He'll do a little bit inside and start to ramp up his cardiovascular work," Scott said.

"I'd doubt he'd play this week, but we're very optimistic about next week.

"We made that decision to back him right off until he had fully recovered. He's getting closer to being completely symptom-free, but not quite 100 per cent just yet.

"(He's) not too far away and we're confident that he'll be able to make a really quick return to play once those symptoms have cleared."

Jacobs is a key member of North's midfield, having blanketed opposition stars such as Dustin Martin, Patrick Cripps, Tom Mitchell and Clayton Oliver in the first half of the season.

Star midfielder Shaun Higgins remains on track to return against his former team on Sunday after undergoing minor knee surgery last week.

Scott said Higgins would complete a modified session on Thursday, but had made enough progress in his rehabilitation to suggest he would be fit to take on the Bulldogs.

"At this stage it all looks promising," Scott said.

After hanging on for a three-point win against Brisbane at the Gabba last Saturday on a taxing 26-degree afternoon, North's players and coaching staff spent the following two days on the Gold Coast in a mini-break aimed at recharging their batteries ahead of a crucial final three rounds.

The 10th-placed Kangaroos could need to win all of their remaining three games – against the Bulldogs, Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, and St Kilda – to make the finals.

And Scott said their time on the Gold Coast had set them up well for a strong finish.

"The conditions were ideal in terms of a few days focused on physical recovery on the Gold Coast, but (we) also did all our training up there and all our video reviews (and) our individual review sessions," Scott said.

"It was a great change of stimulus and, most importantly, the players to a man feel like it was just a great opportunity.

"The players look in great spirits and physically our markers are really positive. There's no doubt there's a mental aspect to it as well.

"We all know the stage of the season we're in. At round 21, everyone knows the stakes and is aware there is not too much of the regular season to go. Mentally, they're up and about and that generally translates into a pretty good physical feeling as well."

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