The cavalry is finally arriving as St Kilda's injury list shortens ever-so-slightly, with captain Jack Steele headlining the inclusions for Sunday's match first-versus-fourth match against Carlton.
Steele's recovery from a broken collarbone – sustained during Round 2 wherein he played out the game – has seen him miss just three matches, but the Saints have held firm in his absence to sit on top of the table with a 4-1 record.
The skipper is likely to be joined by fellow leader Tim Membrey, who marked a successful return via the VFL last Sunday following knee surgery in the pre-season.
"The specialists gave him the extra clearance yesterday, so he'll train today and Friday and play (on Sunday)," senior coach Ross Lyon said at today's press conference.
"He'll probably go head-to-head with (Patrick) Cripps. I'd expect two great ball-winners to go at it.
"Both of them will have their moments but it's about our system versus theirs, really."
Jack Billings (fractured leg) and first-year Saint Isaac Keeler are similarly on track to be removed from the Saints' casualty list, with the pair expected to make their returns for Sandringham this weekend before respective tilts to break into the senior side.
St Kilda will be without breakout forward Anthony Caminiti following last night's Tribunal hearing which resulted in a three-game suspension for his high hit on Collingwood's Nathan Murphy.
The Saints were successful in downgrading the conduct charge from 'intentional' to 'careless', putting the five-game forward on the pine for matches against Carlton, Port Adelaide and North Melbourne.
"It's part of his learning curve. He's been on the radar, he's got plenty of press," Lyon said.
"There's physical contact, sometimes as a forward you get buffeted a bit and you react. It's how you react. It's a good lesson for him to control what he can.
"In this business you get hunted pretty quickly. I just spoke (to Anthony about) different ways with your frustration, how to pass it on.
"My personal opinion, I think you can talk about it now, I don't think it was intentional. That was clearly deliberated that way, so it's about right for the outcome."
