SHAUN Higgins is "a good chance" to return from concussion in Saturday night's clash against Sydney at the SCG, but North Melbourne won't make a final call on its star's availability until the last minute.

Higgins was hospitalised after being bumped by Hawthorn's Ryan Burton in round five and missed last week's loss to Port Adelaide.

North coach Brad Scott was optimistic Higgins would be fit to play against the Swans, when he spoke with reporters on Wednesday.

MATCH PREVIEW: Can the Roos get a jump on the Swans?

"We're hopeful. He's a good chance I think, but we'll probably give him right up until the last minute," Scott said.

"This process is probably longer than most people understand, it's not just a simple yes or no.

"Even though he passed all his tests at the end of last week, there's still a day-by-day ongoing process to see how he recovers from training and physical exertion."

Higgins resumed light training at the end of last week and has returned to full training this week. He was on the field at Arden St when North started its main training hit-out on Wednesday and was expected to complete the session.

North's start to 2018 has been notable for the largely settled team it has fielded each week, but Scott suggested there could be selection changes this round after some strong performances in the VFL last Sunday.

Forwards Mason Wood and Taylor Garner starred in North's win over Coburg, kicking six and four goals respectively, performances that could earn them their first senior games of 2018.

"I think there's a fair chance they'll be in our (extended) squad. We'll see how everyone trains today, but they were really encouraging on the weekend in a pretty good team performance," Scott said.

"We were able to have the luxury of taking a few guys off in the third quarter and we did that to give us extra flexibility with selection this week.

"They're definitely in the mix."

Another player in the mix is experienced defender Sam Wright. The 27-year-old has not played a senior game since round 11, 2016, because of a frustrating succession of foot and ankle injuries.

However, Wright has played North's opening three VFL games without any hiccups and is now fit enough for a senior recall.

"The recovery has been really good, he's had a really good solid block of training and now he's got the match fitness to back that up too," Scott said.

"So he's approaching that point where he's now available for selection, whereas previously he just needed to get games under his belt."

Former Giant Paul Ahern was also impressive in the win against Coburg. The midfielder underwent two knee reconstructions in his final season with Greater Western Sydney in 2016 and spent all of last year rehabilitating his right knee.

The former No.7 draft pick was named as a senior emergency last round and, after three consecutive VFL games, Scott said he was getting close to making his AFL debut.

"He was in our squad last week and will be again this week," the Kangaroos coach said.

"He played well in the VFL, particularly early when the game was in the balance at the start, and he gave our VFL team real ascendancy.

"So he's starting to look more and more like he's ready for AFL footy."