NORTH MELBOURNE will be without midfield star and club captain Andrew Swallow for Saturday’s clash against Hawthorn while Jack Ziebell and Scott Thompson remain in doubt with injury.

Swallow will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing his achilles against Melbourne in Round 18.

The Kangaroos skipper was North Melbourne’s best player when the two sides met in Round 5, gathering 35 disposals, nine clearances and seven inside 50s.

Ziebell remains in doubt after failing in his bid to play against the Bombers last weekend, after suffering an ankle injury against the Crows in Round 20.

The midfielder’s leg was caught under an opponent as he laid a tackle and immediately grimaced in paid as he injured the ligaments in his ankle.

 Like Ziebell, defender Thompson faces a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s game after being a late withdrawal against the Bombers.

The Kangaroos will be sweating on the availability of Thompson, given he is likely to be handed the job on star forward, Lance Franklin.

Thompson was one of his team’s best in the Round 5 clash, keeping Franklin goalless and limiting his to 12 touches.

North Melbourne director of medical services Steve Saunders says the club will give the pair every chance to play.

"We will be having a very close look at both those boys this week.  Jack was close to playing last week but we decided to hold him back," he told the club’s website.