SHAUNE Moloney is on target to return for North Ballarat in a top four shoot-out against Casey Scorpions in the Victorian Football League at Casey Fields on Sunday.

Moloney is coming back from a strained hamstring - his second injury of the season.

He has not played since being sidelined in the first half against Collingwood on July 13. That was only his fourth match back after an extended lay-off caused by a corked thigh.

Moloney has been restricted to just nine appearances for the Selkirk Roosters this season, which is 16 rounds old.

The North Ballarat captain and full back was close to selection for Sunday's 39-point win over Coburg Tigers, but coach Gerard FitzGerald wanted Moloney to first complete a full week on the training track.

Roosters' football manager Marg Richards said yesterday that Moloney was on track to be available for selection.

Youngster Jackson Hall (ankle) is also expected to be right and make his return in the reserves.

Richards is also hopeful North Melbourne-listed key forward Josh Smith (knee) will be available.

Smith was a late withdrawal on Sunday with a slight tear in a cartilage.

The Kangaroos expected him to miss just the one week.

North Ballarat is on a six-game winning streak and leads the VFL ladder with 13 wins on percentage from Williamstown.

Port Melbourne is a win adrift in third position and Casey Scorpions three games off the pace in fourth.

FitzGerald said one of his major challenges this week was freshening up his midfielders to ensure they were sharp for the encounter with the St Kilda-aligned Scorpions.

He said the heavier conditions at AUSTAR Arena on Sunday had added to the workload against Coburg, leaving players more leg weary than usual.

With its home ground heavy, North Ballarat last night trained at Learmonth.