NORTH Melbourne's reigning club champion Shaun Higgins is a chance to make the trip to Sydney to face the Swans on Saturday night.

Higgins was taken to hospital and required plastic surgery on his lip after being knocked out in a much-scrutinised bump from young Hawk Ryan Burton a fortnight ago.

The incident happened only hours after the 30-year-old's wife, Heidi, gave birth to the couple's first child, Rosie.

Higgins sat out the Kangaroos' 33-point defeat to Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium last Saturday.

North football boss Cameron Joyce said he was hopeful Higgins would be back this week, but the star midfielder would not be risked if there were "any doubts at all".

"Shaun will be closely monitored this week and has a few hurdles to jump, but we are happy with how he's presented so far," Joyce said.

"He'll need to be cleared by the medical department and will then have to train well for us to pick him in the side.

"It's been a big few weeks for Shaun, but he's handled everything like the true professional he is."

Four-gamer Mitch Hibberd faces up to three weeks on the sidelines recovering from a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee.

Hibberd sustained the injury in a tackle from a Coburg opponent on Sunday playing for the Roos' VFL team.

Declan Mountford (ankle) faces a fitness test, first-year forward Gordon Narrier (hip) will also be monitored and Declan Watson's return from a knee reconstruction remains indefinite.

Nathan Hrovat returned via the VFL at the weekend from a thumb injury, while Taylor Garner (groin/hip) booted four goals in an encouraging performance in his second match back.