NORTH Melbourne star midfielder Daniel Wells might return from injury via North Ballarat Roosters against Coburg in the VFL on Sunday.
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The Kangaroos indicated on Tuesday that Wells was one of four injured players – along with Nathan Grima, Joel Tippett and Jamie Macmillan – hoping to end a long-term stint on the sidelines in the AFL.
Wells still has to pass a fitness test this week before being given the all-clear.
The Kangaroos, via the club website, said none were “on track” to play against Geelong in the AFL on Saturday night.
Wells has not played since the Roos’ round five match against Collingwood, when he later injured his right foot in training.
His recovery has been slower than expected, with the Roos adopting a conservative approach to his rehabilitation once scans revealed displaced bones in his foot.
The Selkirk Roosters will not learn until late in the week whether Wells will be a confirmed starter for the clash against Coburg.
Even if Wells should be pencilled in for selection, he must still be cleared after the Kangaroos’ final training run on Friday morning.
The Kangaroos have looked to the Roosters already this season to bring back one of their stars from injury.
North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow made his start back from a ruptured Achilles tendon via limited game time for the Roosters in April and elected to play in the VFL again a week later.
Wells has lined up for the Roosters once – in 2009 against Melbourne-aligned Casey Scorpions at Morwell.
He was returning from hip and leg injuries at the time and played half a game.
Tippett is the only other of the four named Kangaroos aligned to the Roosters as a possible return this week.
The key defender has been sidelined since round 10 with a pectoral injury.
North Ballarat sits one game clear in the VFL top eight.
While this week’s standalone rival Coburg has only chalked up three wins this season, the Lions served up a huge challenge to heavyweight Box Hill at the weekend when the Roosters had a bye.
melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au