NORTH Melbourne recruit Jed Anderson will make his return from a serious hamstring injury in the VFL on Saturday against Essendon.

The former Hawthorn player was hurt in round one against Adelaide during the second quarter, with the Kangaroos ultimately running out 10-point winners.

With Anderson, 22, being moved off the long-term injury list, Robbie Nahas is back on the rookie list and is therefore unavailable to face Hawthorn on Friday at Etihad Stadium.

Nahas has a broken finger but trained with a glove on his left hand on Wednesday.

Sam Wright has been placed on the long-term injury list after ankle surgery and will miss at least eight weeks.