SAM Gilbert and Beau Maister could make their long-awaited returns from injury for this week’s clash with the Sydney Swans.
Gilbert has not played since injuring his knee in the round six game against Collingwood, while Maister has not played since injuring his hamstring in the dying minutes of the round 11 clash with West Coast.
The pair have been grouped together in injury rehabilitation for the past two months and coach Scott Watters said on Wednesday they were a chance to return at either AFL or VFL level.
“We have a pretty extensive injury list at the moment. Gilbert will be available to play pending a test tomorrow,” Watters said.
“Beau Maister will also be available pending a test so there are a couple who come back but whether they are ready to play at this level we will have to wait and see.”
Another potential inclusion for the Saints is small forward Ahmed Saad who missed last week’s game against Hawthorn with a quad injury.
“Test tomorrow and if he completes the test he is available to play,” Watters said.
“He had a quad and copped a pretty heavy cork so there was a lot of bruising from the previous week. He should be right to go.”
Two more Saints who should be available after injury are Stephen Milne and James Gwilt. Milne was a late withdrawal from the team that played Hawthorn, while Gwilt was subbed out at half-time after missing the previous week with a knee injury.
“They will both be available so from a health point of view we should be OK. We have just got to check on Gwilty,” he said.
“He was pretty brave to play last week, sometimes players are cleared to play but you can underestimate how tough it is to get over an injury. We will assess him but we hope he is alright to play.”