Injured forward Matt Campbell has joined the growing list of North Melbourne players to be ruled out for the start of the AFL season.

Campbell is yet to learn the full extent of the right hamstring tear he incurred in the practice match victory over the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat last Saturday.

But he is a definite non-starter for the round one clash against West Coast at Subiaco on March 27.

"The physios can't really give a timeframe for it," Campbell said on Tuesday.

"I've just got to wait and see how the hamstring heals over the week and then we should be able to know about it by Friday.

"It's hard to describe a hamstring, a lot of people say it's like being shot but I've never been shot so I can't compare them.

"It was pretty painful."

Ruckman Hamish McIntosh (Achilles) and midfielders Ryan Bastinac (knee), Levi Greenwood (foot) and Ed Lower (knee) are also unavailable for the game against the Eagles, while ruck-forward Drew Petrie is suspended.

But key defender Nathan Grima could be fit to resume in a VFL practice match this weekend.

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