St Kilda coach Scott Watters expects Stephen Milne to resume playing AFL within four weeks.

Milne trained with team-mates on Friday despite being given indefinite leave from playing after he was charged this week with four counts of rape relating to an alleged incident in 2004.

Watters says he backs the decision to allow Milne time away from playing, denying the 33-year-old has been stood down.

Instead, he says the decision is the Saints showing a "duty of care" to the player.

"Stephen will return to play. We're very hopeful that within three to four weeks he will be available to come back and do what he loves doing," Watters said on Friday.

"At the same time, there's a duty of care and responsibility to Milney. We just need to see how things unfold."

Team-mates Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo will celebrate their 250th AFL games in Milne's absence in Saturday's clash with fellow struggler Melbourne at the MCG.

Both players had said this week they wanted Milne to play in their milestone game.

But Watters denied any suggestion of a player rebellion over the decision to keep Milne from the football field.

He said he was involved in organising for the club's player leadership group to meet with Saints' board members to discuss the issue.

"Open communication in this sort of time is absolutely critical," Watters said.

"I wouldn't think a player rebellion involved a coach inviting his leadership group down to make sure everyone's comfortable and clear on where things are at.

"The 'player rebellion' term is almost laughable."

The Saints have only won two of their 11 matches this season and sit 16th - just ahead of Melbourne.

Milne, who has denied the rape allegations, will appear in court on July 5.

AAP