Paddy Ryder will make his return to football via the VFL this Sunday as Sandringham prepares for its first game of the year against Casey.

Achilles soreness kept the veteran ruckman away from the field for the last four matches of last season.

Hunter Clark has commenced running sessions three weeks after suffering a high-grade AC sprain in the Saints’ AAMI Community Series win over Essendon, with the young midfielder still a month away from a senior return.

Jack Billings, also injured in the same game, is still a few weeks out from making his comeback from a hamstring setback, while Jack Bytel will require further conditioning following an interrupted summer.

Meanwhile, Dan Hannebery will be managed for an additional week before putting his hand up for selection.

St Kilda came out of Friday night’s match against Collingwood with no major injury complaints.

Injury list