North Melbourne football boss Brady Rawlings said the dual Syd Barker Medal winner would be rested for the rest of the year despite encouraging progress.

"Ben's been working closely with our physios and strength and conditioning staff, but the reality is, he won't be available before the end of the season given the time we have left," he said.

"Although his strength measures have improved and his progress is encouraging, he'd still need to complete a mini pre-season before being available for selection and we just don't have that luxury with six games remaining."

Rawlings said Cunnington's absence would have a significant effect.

"Ben is one of the best midfielders in the competition, and arguably the best contested ball winner there is, so not having him out there has been a challenge for us obviously," he said.

"Ben is disappointed but is now focused on doing everything he can to be ready for next year."

Rawlings, who played 245 games for the Arden Street-based club, said Cunnington's absence would gift the club's young talent an opportunity in the engine room.

"If there is one positive, it is that it has allowed us to give our emerging talent such as Luke Davies-Uniacke, Bailey Scott, Tarryn Thomas, before his injury, and even Cam Zurhaar some increased midfield minutes," he said.

"We were also able to play Luke McDonald as a tagger and have seen the emergence of Jy Simpkin as a genuine star midfielder of the future."

Cunnington burst on the scene as 15-year-old, booting 10 goals on debut for Cobden.

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