ST KILDA’s injury list continues to shrink , with no new additions this week and Nathan Wright expected to be available for selection.

The 21-year-old injured his groin against Hawthorn in the NAB Challenge and missed Sunday’s season opener against GWS.

But following persistent rehab, club physio Andrew Wallis expects the defender to be fit for selection this week, ahead of schedule.

“Nathan has progressed better than we expected,” Wallis told SAINTS.com.au.

“He’s already trained fully twice, is available for selection and if he gets through Thursday he will play.”

Wright has played 15 senior games since debuting early in 2013 and last year re-signed with the Saints until the end of 2016.

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In further good news, Nick Riewoldt is considered a certainty to face Gold Coast on Saturday night, barring any unforeseen mishap between now and then.

The 281-game veteran walked gingerly from the field in the fourth quarter on Sunday with a neck injury, but is recovering well and will take his place in St Kilda’s team at Metricon Stadium.

“Nick is fine,” Wallis said.

“He didn’t have a concussive episode, he had a whiplash. He went to the Epworth Hospital and had scans. They all tested as negative which is great. He will train Thursday and then be available… He will play.”

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Meanwhile, long-term projects Seb Ross and Farren Ray are five weeks into their recovery from hamstring surgery and are progressing well according to Wallis, as are Arryn Siposs and Daniel Markworth with their shoulder injuries.

“Arryn and Daniel will start their tackling drills soon and will start training when they’ve ticked that box,” he said.

“They are both probably still 2-3 months away.”

While still listed as ‘indefinite,’ strong-bodied utility Brodie Murdoch took a big step in his recovery from a back injury on Tuesday, running 10km.

Wallis also said Jack Billings and Shane Savage got through their respective games on the weekend unscathed and are over their hamstring injuries, while Jimmy Webster is closing in on a return from a finger injury and could even play VFL this week.

Updated injury list: Click HERE.

 

Club Doctor Tim Barbour assists Nick Riewoldt from the field on Sunday afternoon.