Jake Carlisle will make his return to football this weekend ahead of schedule thanks to dedication and an appetite for hard work.

St Kilda Head of Performance Matt Hornsby shakes his head at times at Jake Carlisle’s athleticism and capacity to overcome injuries.

The key defender is known for his intercept marking but Hornsby says it’s his appetite for training and an ability to push himself to extremes that sets him apart.

Carlisle will make his 2019 debut for Sandringham this Sunday after over four months on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old underwent surgery in March to relieve pressure in his lower back, caused by a disc protrusion. 

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It will be Carlisle’s first appearance for the year after a six-week recovery and subsequently lengthy rehabilitation process.

Hornsby said Carlisle had done everything possible to power through his rehab program.

“Given the nature of Jake’s injury it’s been a really thorough process with a lot of milestones to tick off along the way,” he said.

“He is a super athlete and once he has the program he really attacks the sessions and is able to improve quickly.”

“Being able to return to full training as early as what was realistically possible is testament to the hard work he has put in along the way.”

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“There aren’t many guys who would have been able to do what he has over the past couple of months.”

While the Saints have uncovered some gems in the form of Callum Wilkie and Josh Battle in his absence, Carlisle’s return will be a welcome inclusion in the coming weeks.

Since debuting for the Saints in 2017, the ex-Bomber has played 39 games and finished fourth and seventh in the 2017 and 2018 Trevor Barker Awards respectively.

Carlisle will join recruit Dan Hannebery in the Zebras line-up this Sunday with Werribee waiting at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

First bounce is at 2.10pm.