St Kilda key defender Sam Fisher has had a setback in his return from a hamstring strain, with the dual Trevor Barker Award winner set to miss at least another fortnight.
The 33-year-old played nine of the opening ten games of the season before suffering a hamstring strain late in a training session ahead of the Saints’ trip to face Adelaide in Round 11.
“Sam Fisher unfortunately had a bit of a relapse with his hamstring recovery last week at training and unfortunately will miss at least another couple of weeks, maybe three,” GM of Football Performance Jamie Cox told saints.com.au on Tuesday afternoon.
Rebounding defender Jimmy Webster is also recovering from a minor hamstring strain and despite improving, the club has elected to give the Tasmanian another week to ensure he has properly overcome the issue.
“Jimmy’s recovering well but it’s been decided to give Jimmy one more week, he’s still just a little bit sore. He missed last week of course with his hamstring and one more week should fix Jimmy up,” Cox said.
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In better news for the Saints, four players are set to be available for selection after overcoming recent setbacks, with Sean Dempster (knee), Jack Billings (ankle), Billy Longer (concussion) and Nathan Wright (shoulder) only needing to pass a final fitness test at Thursday’s main training session before being cleared to play this weekend.
“We’ve got four players who will be tested on Thursday and as long as they come through training well they’ll be available for selection and that’s Sean Dempster, Jack Billings, Billy Longer and Nathan Wright,” Cox said.
As was widely reported on Monday, budding key forward Paddy McCartin has been ruled out of Sunday’s encounter with Essendon after suffering a third concussion for the season in last weekend’s loss to Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.
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Injury Update 5/7/16
Paddy McCartin (concussion) – 1 week
Sam Fisher (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Sean Dempster (knee) – Test
Jimmy Webster (hamstring) – 1 week
Jack Billings (ankle) – Test
Nathan Wright (shoulder) – Test
Billy Longer (concussion) – Test
Nathan Freeman (hamstring) – Indefinite
Hugh Goddard (Achilles) - Season
