NICK Riewoldt may not be returning to St Kilda training until 2016 but he has taken on more running at this stage than has been the case in recent years.

That is the word from teammate and close friend Leigh Montagna who recently returned from Ireland and New York where he toured with Riewoldt as part of the International Rules team.

“He’s going well, he’s in good nick. He is probably doing more running than he has done in the past three or four years,” Montagna said from the Saints training camp in the Sunshine Coast.

“He is pretty keen to slim down a bit and look after his body. He is in good nick and he is enjoying his time off. He’ll come back in great condition.”

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It has been a tumultuous 2015 for Riewoldt with the passing of younger sister Maddie in February.

The long-time captain of the Saints had been granted extended leave over the off-season which he has spent with wife Catherine and her family in Texas, USA.

That extended break has freshened him up in mind and body according to Montagna.

“He’s getting there. I think it’s been great for him to spend a few months over in Texas away from Australia and enjoying the peace and quiet of the ranch and being an American,” Montagna said.

“He is loving that and it’s good for him and good for his family so hopefully when he comes back he’ll be mentally refreshed and in good nick.”

Montagna himself is being eased into training after the International Rules series. After representing Australia, Montagna spent a week overseas with wife Erinn before a brief stop in Melbourne before boarding a flight to Maroochydore to join the Saints on Tuesday.

His lighter duties have seen him at times working in smaller groups with the five players the club recruited in the national and rookie drafts.

And the 32-year-old is impressed with what he has already seen.

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“I got pulled out of drills a little early with the young blokes so I’m getting looked after. I thought they were impressive. What stood out for me was they can kick on both feet, they are well-balanced and natural on both feet. I thought it was a nice little start,” he said.

“I’m backing Trout (St Kilda Recruiting Manager Tony Elshaug) to have done his job well. He is pretty happy with his draft selections so we’ll back him in and give these boys a pre-season. Hopefully they can play some footy for us early on.”