Cunnington is a confirmed starter against Adelaide on Saturday, having returned to action through the VFL last weekend.

The 31-year-old has recovered from two bouts of testicular cancer, which had kept him out of football since July last year.

Cunnington's long-awaited senior recall was ticked off on Wednesday, when the two-time Kangaroos best-and-fairest winner and interim coach Leigh Adams addressed the playing group in an emotional announcement.

"I love my life outside of footy and you think you can finish up (playing) and be happy with that," Cunnington told his teammates.

"But until it sort of gets taken away from you and you've got no control over that, you soon realise that you're still loving it.

"I went through what I've had to go through and without the support I couldn't have got through.

"But I'm here now, hungry, and I feel I've worked hard to be in a position to hopefully help the boys out again. I'm keen as ever."

Cunnington tweaked a calf muscle and produced a positive COVID test as he neared a return in recent weeks.

He gathered 18 possessions - including the first clearance of the match - against Sydney in the VFL last Sunday and pulled up from his first match in 379 days with only some general soreness.

The six-day turnaround between the VFL appearance and Saturday's Adelaide Oval fixture was a consideration for Cunnington, Adams and club medical staff as they worked through the midfielder's selection.

Adams said Cunnington had a big say in the final decision.

"He's such a proud person, he'll still expect to go out there and get 30 touches because that's the sort of champion he is," Adams said.

Cunnington is on track for an emotional appearance in front of home fans when North Melbourne's 2022 campaign ends against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium in round 23.

Meanwhile, Cameron Zurhaar will be looking to continue his strong form against Adelaide after kicking 13 goals in four matches since Adams took the interim coaching reins.

The out-of-contract forward is reportedly a trade target for Essendon but Adams expects Zurhaar to make a decision on his future once the club's next coach is confirmed.

"He's playing some good footy at the moment. I'd personally love him to stay," Adams said.

"He'd probably want to know who is going to be the coach next year. That's fair enough, everyone would like to know who their boss is when they're going to work.

"Hopefully that gets sorted and then that makes it easier for him to make a decision, and hopefully that is to stay here."

Key defender Ben McKay is expected to be available for the clash with Adelaide after being a late withdrawal last week due to a shoulder issue.

Australian Associated Press