SICK Geelong coach Chris Scott is expected to recover from the illness that has kept him away from the club in time to coach the Cats against North Melbourne.

Scott wasn't at Kardinia Park on Friday as a precaution and skipped the afternoon's planned press conference alongside winger Mitch Duncan.

The Geelong coach does not have COVID-19 and the Cats are confident Scott will be on hand at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday against the struggling Kangaroos.

"He's fine. He's obviously a little under the weather," assistant James Kelly told reporters on Friday.

"But he's still available for us today, we just thought it was best that he didn't come in today.

"But he'll be coaching tomorrow and it'll be business as usual for the game."

Geelong is regaining Patrick Dangerfield from his mid-season training block after a calf injury.

"We feel like his program's been managed really well, he feels really good and this week felt like a really good time to bring him back," Kelly said.

"We didn't want to get into the situation where we brought him back too early and have him have no continuity with his training, where he's playing but he can't train.

"The main thing is Paddy's coming back into the game feeling really confident in himself and his body and we're just excited to have him back."

Gary Rohan returns after he was a late withdrawal last week but the Cats have lost Tom Stewart to suspension and skipper Joel Selwood is being managed.

Skilful winger Duncan will play his 250th game on Saturday.

Geelong has an excellent recent record against North Melbourne, winning its past nine clashes by an average of 32 points.

The Kangaroos (1-13) are languishing at the bottom of the ladder, having lost their past 12 games by an average margin of 59 points.

"We don't take notice of how they've gone and their record. We still want to approach the game the way we approach every game," Kelly said.

"If we rock up and take notice of their record and don't play the game the way we want it to be played, we'll get bitten."

Kangaroos youngster Jackson Archer was a late withdrawal through injury on Friday, with Atu Bosenavulagi replacing him in the 22.

The Kangaroos have called upon Lachie Young, Jack Mahony and Charlie Lazzaro.

Bailey Scott (hip), Aiden Bonar (hamstring soreness) and Tarryn Thomas (personal) were forced changes.