St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has revealed celebrity ahead Max King may return to AFL motion as quickly as subsequent week regardless of having a shoulder harm that may require post-season surgical procedure.
But the upcoming return of King, and fellow key ahead Tim Membrey who will play within the VFL this week, has been offset by the lack of defender Dougal Howard who is ready for surgical procedure after fracturing his wrist within the opening quarter of final week’s win over North Melbourne.
The Saints are hanging on to sixth place on the ladder however face a treacherous run residence and Howard has been a key plank in St Kilda‘s defence playing all 18 games this season.
His potential return remains unknown but King, who has missed just two matches after dislocating his shoulder, an injury even Lyon thought would end his season, could be in for a shock early return
After an arthroscopy it became apparent King could miss just four to six weeks, with a second bout of surgery on his already reconstructed shoulder not necessary until after the season.
On Wednesday, ahead of a must-win clash with Hawthorn, Lyon revealed King had taken huge steps forward in his recovery and could be an “outside chance” of playing in round 21 in what could be a season-defining clash with Carlton.
Lyon would have no hesitation bringing him straight back into the AFL team.
“He‘s an outside chance for next week,” Lyon said.
“He‘s progressing really well … he’s doing a little bit of becoming a member of in early (with) soccer stuff.
“He doesn’t play twos (reserves).”
Membrey, who hasn’t performed since spherical 9 as he battled knee points, may even return through the VFL this week and Lyon conceded it was “significant” not having he and King collectively for many of the 2023 season.
The two spearheads kicked 86 objectives beneath former coach Brett Ratten final yr.
“He‘s had long-term rehab, he’s progressing beautifully,” Lyon mentioned of Membrey.
“It‘s been significant not having him and Max nearly all year and we’ve been really a tender age in our front half.
“We’re excited where Tim’s got himself to. If we can get them back at the pointy end, that would be nice.”
After the conflict with Hawthorn, St Kilda faces Carlton, Richmond, Geelong and premiership contenders Brisbane over the ultimate month of the home-and-away season, needing to win at the very least two and probably three to hold on to their place within the prime eight.
The Saints will play the Hawks at Marvel Stadium and Lyon mentioned he was proud of the AFL’s response after he lashed them for leaving the roof open, which made the floor slippery.
“No process is perfect, they certainly explained it,” he mentioned.
“The only concern from the AFL was that I implued teams get treated differently, which theu don’t, or I hope they don’t.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
