NORTH Melbourne's 2017 preparations have suffered a setback with two key members of its defence recently undergoing surgery.

After missing North's 2016 finals campaign with injury, Sam Wright and Scott Thompson will enter 2017 off limited preparations after having minor operations recently.

Wright had been set to resume full training in January after undergoing an off-season 'clean-up' on the left ankle that sidelined him for all bar one VFL game after round 11 this season.

However, Wright's right ankle started giving him problems after he returned to pre-season training on a modified program, and recently required an operation.

"Sam's pre-season will obviously be impacted, which is certainly not ideal, however we're really confident he'll be available to play and have an impact in the early stages of our 2017 season," North Melbourne football manager Cameron Joyce told NMFC.com.au.

"The surgery was minor and we hope to see him back to full training in about two months, all going to plan."

Thompson missed three of North's last four games this year, including its elimination final loss to Adelaide, with a left adductor strain.

The 2013 All Australian full-back resumed running when North began pre-season training late last month, but his adductor problems soon resurfaced.

"Scott had a slight tear in his adductor repaired in order to get him back fit and firing," Joyce said.

"Scott will also have a delayed return to full training, but we're confident he'll be right to hopefully play in the pre-season competition and be ready for round one."