KANGAROOS speedster Corey Wagner will miss up to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on Monday night for a high ankle sprain.

The 20-year-old was playing his first game of the year and fifth overall as a late inclusion for Taylor Garner (hamstring tightness) in North Melbourne's 59-point upset of top side Adelaide in Hobart.

Wagner managed barely three minutes of playing time – winning two disposals – before sustaining the injury in a tackle on Crow Daniel Talia.

The Roos initially thought Wagner had suffered only a knock to the jaw from an inadvertent elbow.

Club doctor Peter Bacquie confirmed the Aspley product injured the syndesmosis component of his right ankle. 

"At this stage, we expect him to miss the next six to eight weeks," Bacquie told nmfc.com.au.

"He fell awkwardly after the tackle and the weight of his body came down onto his ankle, resulting in a significant sprain."

Garner will have to pass a fitness test to return to the senior side for Sunday's twilight clash with Sydney, as will rebounding defender Aaron Mullett (broken hand).

Ben Brown (shoulder) has recovered well and will take his place against the Swans, a good result for North after it accepted Jarrad Waite's one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct.

Lindsay Thomas faces the VFL Tribunal on Tuesday night on the same charge.

Ben Jacobs (foot), who had surgery after his most-recent AFL appearance in round eight last year, and Majak Daw (quadriceps) are likely to come back through the VFL for Werribee this weekend.

Daw missed the past two VFL matches with the injury.

Former skipper Andrew Swallow (gastro) will also be in the selection mix for the Kangaroos or Werribee.