Steele Sidebottom may sit out the rest of the AFL season for family reasons after Collingwood’s clash with North Melbourne on Monday night.

The Magpies’ vice-captain will return to Melbourne after the match against the Kangaroos to be with his partner, Alisha, who is due to give birth to the couple’s first child in September.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is unsure if or when the star wingman will return to the club’s Queensland hub.

“Steele made the call with Alisha about a month ago that he was going to head back home,” Buckley told reporters on Saturday.

“He’s got an exciting period of his life coming up.

“We don’t know if he can return or not.

“It’ll depend on Alisha and the bub.

“There’s a bit of unknown.”

Sidebottom missed four matches through suspension after breaking AFL COVID-19 protocols in late June but has shone for the injury-hit Magpies since his return in round nine – averaging 23.5 disposals across four appearances.

His partner is reportedly due to give birth days before the final round of the home-and-away season.

COVID-19 protocols agreed by the AFL with the Queensland dictate club figures from interstate must quarantine for 14 days before joining club hubs and playing matches.

Meanwhile, Buckley confirmed Brody Mihocek will miss Monday night’s match at the Gabba after he was unable to pass a concussion test five days out.

Ben Reid had already been ruled out with a hamstring injury, possibly opening the door for key forward Mason Cox to return.

Club leading goal kicker Jaidyn Stephenson will return from a calf complaint and key defender Jordan Roughead is available after being cleared of concussion.