North Melbourne forward undergoes knee surgery

Kangaroos forward Shaun Higgins has undergone minor knee surgery.

Higgins reported pain in his left knee after Saturday's NAB Challenge win over St Kilda, but North Melbourne still expect the 27-year-old to be fit for Round 1.

"It's a very straightforward and minor wash-out that he requires," director of football Geoff Walsh told the club's website.

"There were a couple of old bone fragments, which had been there for a number of years, that suddenly caused him some discomfort in the second half.

"We sent him off for assessment and the advice was to wash the knee out and set him up for the season proper. This will ensure he doesn't have any further issues with those fragments."

The Kangaroos face Adelaide in Round 1 on Saturday March 26 at Etihad Stadium.