HAWTHORN looks likely to make at least three changes for its clash with North Melbourne on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

Three key players are set to return for the Hawks’ match against the ladder leaders.

Star midfielder Sam Mitchell and defender Taylor Duryea have overcome their respective back and hip complaints, which saw them miss last week’s win against Essendon, while ruckman Jonathon Ceglar will be available after missing the win against the Bombers through suspension.

Picking the players who miss out if the trio returns, as predicted, will be no easy task after a strong team effort - and injury-free match - against the Bombers.

Will Langford, Angus Litherland and Marc Pittonet were the three players who came in as like-for-like replacements last week – however Langford was returning from a week’s break after featuring in nine of the Hawks’ first 10 matches in 2016.

However, could the Hawks opt for another change or two?

With North Melbourne’s tall forward structure, key defenders Kurt Heatherley and Kaiden Brand could also be in the mix.

Kangaroos forward Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown all stand 194 centimetres or taller – and have another tall in Majak Daw waiting in the wings - which could prompt Hawthorn’s match committee to look at another key defender to support the likes of James Frawley, Ben Stratton and Josh Gibson.

Brand was one of the Hawks’ three emergencies last week, and has played two AFL matches this season, while New Zealand export Heatherley produced one of his best VFL performances in 2016 at the weekend.

The Hawks had a number of other strong performers at VFL level pushing for a senior recall, including midfielders Kieran Lovell and Jonathan O’Rourke, who collected 21 and 22 disposals respectively.