North Melbourne have put a line through young backman Jackson Archer playing again this year following his latest ankle setback.
The injury was sustained in the VFL last Friday, with Archer's leg caught in a tackle, with Archer suffering a fractured fibula and a syndesmosis injury.
The setback will see Archer miss the rest of the year, with the father-son Roo to undergo surgery.
Archer has only been able to play three games at senior level this year, with hamstring injuries derailing his campaign.
Meanwhile, the Roos will be forced to make at least one change to the team that last to the Western Bulldogs in Round 17, with star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke entering the AFL's concussion protocols.
North Melbourne could be forced into a further change if spearhead Nick Larkey fails to prove his fitness at training as he deals with knee soreness.
"Nick suffered a knee knock in the first quarter which has pulled up pretty sore over the past couple of days," Kangaroos performance boss Kevin White said.
"His plan will be to let symptoms settle in the early part of the week while he increases his range of movement before testing at the back end of the week."
Quartet Luke McDonald (shoulder), Luke Parker (ribs), Jack Darling (groin) and Charlie Comben (shoulder) join Larkey in needing to prove their fitness for returns this week to take on Melbourne.
Young midfielder George Wardlaw remains unavailable for selection following a recent concussion.
North Melbourne will take on Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday at 1:10pm (AEST)
