ST KILDA will seek AFL permission to conduct a fitness test on the suspended Ahmed Saad before this year’s draft as it considers his re-selection.

Saad’s 18-month suspension for taking a prohibited substance ends on February 21 and he is unable to play or train with any club until then.

A 21-day window for ASADA to appeal the length of the ban at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal expired yesterday.

A relieved Saad, who has found work as a stockbroker, was ramping up his training program as the Saints made it clear they would consider drafting him in November.

Saints football boss Chris Pelchen said the club hoped to get Saad into the club for a period of testing in the lead-up to the November draft.

“We are going to approach the AFL for permission to have Ahmed in front of us for some sort of physical testing,’’ he said.

“It would be very difficult to mimic game simulation but we will seek that permission to ascertain his fitness base in readiness for him to be drafted. There is no point considering him for drafting if he is not at the level required.

“He has made a really good fist of it and the stockbroking is of his own initiative. We and his family and friends are pleased there is a definitive point to his suspension and this has given him a real lift.

“We have had communication with his management and said we are open-minded about him coming back to St Kilda. Most importantly, he has the chance to play again.”

The AFL would refer to drug code regulations before approving the request.

St Kilda has battled to find a quality small forward to replace Saad and Stephen Milne.

Tom Lee was substituted in the second quarter against Geelong in only his second game of the year.

Terry Milera has played three games and goalsneak Eli Templeton suffered a badly broken arm after exciting early form.

Saad has stepped up his fitness program and is hopeful of appealing to a number of clubs after kicking 45 goals in his 29 AFL games.

He will turn 25 the month before the draft, but he could play a year of VFL to push his AFL chances if he is overlooked.

After his ban he was determined to get back to playing football.

“I worked really hard to get to where I am. It’s devastating and it does crush me, but it only puts some fuel in me to come back better. I don’t think it’s an end now. I’m going to work hard to make sure I’m back next year.”