DANIEL Wells is a late withdrawal from North Melbourne's team ahead of Saturday night's clash with Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

Wells was named in North's 22 on Thursday but failed to overcome the Achilles tendon soreness that saw him substituted out of the Roos' round two win over the Brisbane Lions at half-time.

North recalled Ben Jacobs to replace Wells, while Port Adelaide named an unchanged final team.

Wells' unavailability is part of a double blow for the Roos, who ruled out fellow midfield star Nick Dal Santo (left hamstring) earlier this week.

Dal Santo underwent surgery on Thursday and is expected to miss 10-12 weeks after injuring himself in the Lions win.

North coach Brad Scott foreshadowed that Wells could be a late withdrawal on Friday.