Ross Lyon has backed in skipper Jack Steele for a big Friday night as he and the Saints prepare for Spud's Game.

Steele has been through the injury wringer this season with a broken collarbone and medial strain, and although nursing an in-season Achilles complaint through general wear-and-tear, has only missed the three matches as he continues to find his feet back at senior level.

"I don’t think he’s at his absolute best, but there’s not a player in the competition that doesn’t need continuity," Lyon said at this morning’s press conference.

"To expect him to be 'All-Australian Jack Steele' off the back of all that is a little unrealistic.

"We’ve got to look after him, he’s just so important to us."

The Saints will be without Tim Membrey for at least the next six to eight weeks after being put on a rehab plan to manage his knee, as confirmed by Lyon today.

Speaking on this week’s upcoming Spud’s Game: A Match for Mental Health against Brisbane, Lyon recognised the significance of the event and what it stands for.

"We acknowledge it (as a club), but as players we can’t get caught up in the emotion of it. We certainly want to honour it and give it respect with great effort."

Friday night’s opponent looms large with the Lions’ potent attack posing a challenge to the Saints’ defensive system.

The Lions’ force was on show in their fixture last week, piling on 20 scoring shots to nine in just the second half to regain some form after two straight losses.

"They’ll put you to the sword pretty quickly," Lyon said.

"We know they’re a Triple-A midfield. It gives them ground position, then they go into their talls and dangerous smalls. Off the back of that, their defenders defend really well. We’ll have to be strong around the stoppage."

Adding to the Lions’ bite is the form of co-captain Lachie Neale. The Brownlow medallist was tagged by Marcus Windhager last time the two sides met, resulting in the latter earning a Rising Star nomination for his efforts.

But Lyon suggested he and the coaching staff were unlikely to pull that same lever, with Neale just one major player in an engine room full of damaging players.

"He’s a great player, he’s a pretty special person in my coaching career," Lyon said.

"We won’t tag him. He’s just part of their band now. He came in as their lead singer, now they share the load really well. Our focus would be the whole group."