Veteran North Melbourne forward Drew Petrie continues to enjoy the strong backing of coach Brad Scott despite his run of indifferent form.By his own admission, the 33-year-olds return of 19 goals from 15 games this season has been below expectations.But Scott left little doubt where he stands on Petries place in the AFL side when asked if he had considered dropping him.Not for one second, Scott replied.But (our forward) unit hasnt been working to the level that we would expect (of late) ... Drews only a part of that. Hes a significant part but hes only a part nonetheless.So were looking at all of our forward line players to improve and to work a bit better together but the baseline of Drews game is the way he defends and that is just incredibly underrated outside our football club. But its incredibly highly rated inside it.Any external comments about Drew are irrelevant to us.North have been in free fall recently, losing five of six games to go from top of the ladder after 12 rounds to eighth heading into round 17.The Roos face an improving Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with the Power their nearest challenger three games behind in ninth.Key trio Daniel Wells, Jarrad Waite and Nick Dal Santo return from injury and illness in a significant boost to the side.But Scott confirmed emerging forward Mason Wood will miss up to two months of football after undergoing knee surgery. Nike React Clearance .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Nike React Online Shop Uk .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. http://www.nikereactukclearance.com/ . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. Nike React Sale Uk . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. Nike React Shoes Uk . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique.Chris Brunt is relishing being back in the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in 13 months having wondered if the opportunity would ever arise again. A serious knee injury ended Brunts season back in February and denied him a spot in Michael ONeills Euro 2016 squad when the 31-year-old utility man may have otherwise been considering a swansong in France.Instead his focus was on returning from the biggest injury of his career, an achievement he managed last month with West Brom after an eight-month rehabilitation period. Northern Irelands captain, Southampton midfielder Steven Davis, is happy to see West Broms Chris Brunt back in the international squad He is now back with the squad that, bar the retirement of Chris Baird, has been kept together post-France, although Brunt concedes he still has to tread carefully as he bids to combine club and international commitments as the Northern Irish prepare to face Azerbaijan on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.Its nice to be back playing generally; its been a long few months, he said.I was thrown in at the deep end at West Brom but I have felt it a bit this week after a few 45 minutes and two 90 minutes. N Ireland vs Azerbaijan November 11, 2016, 7:30pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass I suppose I did have some sort of decision to make [on his international future].dddddddddddd When you see what Bairdy did after the Euros, had I played at the tournament then maybe it would have been easier [to retire].At this moment in time it definitely suits me to be playing more games with Northern Ireland but I really do have to take it one game at a time.On the international front I have to take it game by game because I dont know how this week is going to affect me going back in to West Brom next week. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for only £6.99. No contract Ive only got this year left [on his contract] at West Brom. Thats not a position I have been in before; I had an option of a further year at West Brom before but this is a new experience.Its the only time Ive ever played into the last year of my contract but after being out for so long I was just concentrating on getting back out to training and on the pitch.The last few weeks have been good but I cant make too many commitments at the minute. After missing out in the summer I had to see if I am capable of playing at this level both with Northern Ireland and my club and only time will tell that.Watch Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan on Friday night. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7:30pm. Also See: Grigg keen to impress for NI No poppies for Northern Ireland Brunt back for Northern Ireland Football on Sky ' ' '