Key forward Robbie Tarrant will miss the first few weeks of the AFL season with a tibial stress reaction, North Melbourne said on Thursday.
North's football director Geoff Walsh said despite a modified training program, early signs of the problem that kept Tarrant on the sidelines last season had emerged again.
"However, it's nowhere near as severe this time around and thankfully our medical team has identified the symptoms early," Walsh told the club's website.
"Like last year, we will be very cautious and won't be playing Robbie until he is fully fit."
Tarrant played the first three rounds last year before breaking down, returning in round 14 to feature in the last 10 games of the home-and-away season.
The 24-year-old has kicked 40 goals in a 38-game career.
Sudanese-born ruck/forward Majak Daw, who made his debut in 2013, will push for a senior game in Tarrant's absence.
