North Melbourne's star forward Nathan Thompson could miss another two AFL games after undergoing knee surgery.

The Kangaroos said on Thursday Thompson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Wednesday night.

He will be assessed next week to determine the length of his absence from the team.

But a club spokesman said on Thursday night the Kangaroos were hopeful Thompson would miss only Saturday night's game against Fremantle, and then push to play Hawthorn in round 13.

Thompson, the club's leading goalkicker this season, missed last Friday night's loss to Geelong.

But coach Dean Laidley had expressed hope earlier this week that the spearhead would be ready to play the Dockers.

It is the same knee that Thompson injured early last year, causing him to miss the entire 2007 season.

Fellow forward Corey Jones, who sat out the defeat to the Cats with an ankle problem, will play this weekend, but with the VFL, as he is scheduled to play for North Ballarat against Port Melbourne.

North named Jones as one of three emergencies for the clash against Fremantle.

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