ST KILDA has suffered another cruel blow in an injury-plagued season, with midfielder Jack Steele ruled out of the Gold Coast clash after dislocating a kneecap in a tackle at training on Thursday.

He walked off the track after the knee was put back in place but won't face the Suns in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.

Scans on Friday will determine how long the 23-year-old is out for, football manager Simon Lethlean explained

Hamstring issue for Ed Phillips. He won't play this week. pic.twitter.com/STtOlupWOX — Dinny Navaratnam (@dinnynavaratnam) June 13, 2019

"We will know more once we have the results of the scans as to just how much footy he will miss," Lethlean told saints.com.au.

"It's obviously a disappointing blow for Jack and for the team but hopefully it's an injury that doesn't keep him out for too long.

"We have learnt this year that there is no benefit in being frustrated by injuries outside of our control. We will instead be focusing on who can step up through the midfield in Jack's absence."

A hamstring injury to wingman Ed Phillips means he won't make the trip either. However, that has brought speedster Nick Hind into the selection frame.

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It would round out a long journey for the 24-year-old, who made a late flight to China to be on hand for the round 11 clash with Port Adelaide after several Saints fell ill before the game, but was ultimately not required.

Backman Jimmy Webster trained without protection on the right hand that required surgery in May, but the Saints have opted to give him another week's rest.

The Steele news came just as it seemed the injury tide was turning for St Kilda.

Four-time best and fairest Jack Steven has returned to full-time training after a mental health battle, and will complete a mini pre-season for about a month before setting his sights on returning to the field.

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Gun defender Jake Carlisle is set to feature for Sandringham on Sunday, after pre-season back surgery wiped him out of the first half of 2019.

Triple All Australian Dan Hannebery will also take to the field in that clash, hoping that will be his last VFL outing as he looks to finally debut for the Saints after a horror injury run at his new club.

Then there's Max King, the immensely promising key forward drafted at No.4 last year who has impressed in four games for the Zebras in his comeback from a right knee reconstruction.

No.4 draft pick Max King is not far away from an AFL debut. Picture: AFL Photos





Coach Alan Richardson flagged the inclusions of Daniel McKenzie, Blake Acres and Jonathon Marsh for the Suns clash. All three fell ill and missed the clash with Port in Shanghai. Richardson told reporters at RSEA Park on Thursday morning how he expected Steven's training to progress.



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"I reckon it's going to be at least three or four weeks - a mini pre-season if you like - and then a bit of VFL footy, and then we hope to get him back in the team," Richardson said.

However, the 29-year-old's welfare is the priority.

"Our focus is on making sure that's he's right to go, that he's happy, that he's enjoying his footy, that he's enjoying his life. He looks really good but it's a delicate thing," Richardson said.

Carlisle being close raises a dilemma for the match committee. The Saints' backline has been travelling relatively well, posing the question of whether the 27-year-old could be more valuable in attack.

"Given what Josh Battle in particular has been able to do has opened up some options for us there … Jake as we know, more so at the Bombers than with us, has gone forward," Richardson said.

"He's kicked eight goals and taken 20 marks in one game as a forward, so he has that in him.

"I really like him as a defender. Intercept marks is as important a stat as there's ever been in the game I reckon. You've only got to look at the top teams to see that, and that's what Jake does.

"It'll be a pleasant problem."

Carlisle bagged eight goals against the Western Bulldogs in round 18, 2014, and took 12 marks.

The week prior, he racked up 26 disposals, 19 marks and four goals as Essendon thumped Collingwood.

Another option up forward is King.

"There's a difference between VFL footy and AFL footy, and given his recent history, in terms of coming off a knee reco, we're not going to rush things, but if he's ready, he's ready," Richardson said.

"We don't think he's quite ready yet, but he's getting closer."