Just days after his bone crunching collision with Carlton’s Brendan Fevola, North Melbourne defender Daniel Pratt was back on the training track at Arden Street.

While he didn’t practice with the main group, it’s understood the brave 25 year old has been campaigning to play in the NAB Challenge match against Fremantle on Saturday in Canberra. However, it’s a request the coaching and fitness staff have not looked favourably upon and have understandably left him out of the 24-man squad.

Pratt suffered severely bruised ribs after Fevola cannoned into his back during the Kangaroos round one pre-season defeat last Friday night. He was transported to hospital during the third term and was cleared of any lung or kidney damage by doctors at the Epworth.

While the injury is a setback, there is good news with Pratt expected to be available for North Melbourne’s opening match of the 2009 premiership season against Melbourne on Sunday, March 29 at the MCG.