Wells was given a medical clearance on Thursday to play against Collingwood at the Magpies’ home of Victoria Park.

Wells has not played since round two in the AFL when he was sidelined with Achilles soreness.

"It's a bit of a surprise to us too but to get him in this week is a big bonus for us," North Melbourne coach Brad Scott told the Kangaroos’ website.

"He's really excited and wants to play. It's been frustrating for him because we've had to hold him back. To give him the green light, he was ecstatic."

Wells is expected to play around 50 per cent of the game.

North Ballarat also regains Aaron Mullett, who has been dropped by the Kangaroos as well Max Warren.

Meanwhile, Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald is also set to get his wish with Matt Austin and James Keeble also returning after they trained untroubled on Wednesday night.

Roosters football manager Marg Richards said as long as Austin and Keeble pulled up okay ahead of the week’s final training session on Friday they would return to the line-up.

Coach Gerard FitzGerald said early in the week that the duo was on course to play after a strong training regime on the back of injury.

Austin has managed only seven games this season - last playing on June 13.

Keeble returns after missing just one game.

The North Melbourne-aligned Selkirk Roosters have also named North Ballarat Rebel and Victoria Country under-18 representative Yestin Eades as 23rd player to replace the injured Sam Hooper. Liam Hoy (hamstring) is also out.

ROOSTERS LINE-UP: 

B: Austin, Tippett*, Schache

HB: Lockyer, Boseley, Kiel

C: Tsitas, Dumont*, Peters

HF: Couch, Keeble, George

F: Lanyon, Black*, A Hooper

R: Stephenson, Bastinac*, McKenzie*

Inter from:  Warren*, Rippon, Sewell,  Eades^, Preuss*, Mullett*,  Wells*, Bolton, Anderson, Blake, Werts, Staley, 

IN: Eades, Austin,  Keeble,  Warren Mullett,  Wells, Anderson,  Werts, Staley,  Blake

OUT: Hooper (inj), Hoy (inj), Tucker

 *NM listed  ^23rd player