At a glance:

  • Luke Dunstan and Jimmy Webster are eyeing off a return to the senior line-up ahead of the final rounds of the season.
  • Dunstan has been sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle since June, while back and hamstring injuries have curbed Webster's run.
  • Dan Hannebery has stepped up his running sessions in the past week to keep his hopes of a 2020 return alive.

Experienced Saints duo Luke Dunstan and Jimmy Webster are one step closer to a return in the coming weeks.

Dunstan has been sidelined since late June after a pectoral injury sustained in a scratch match against the Tigers, but has been slowly integrating back into full training.

The tough on-baller could be an important inclusion in the coming weeks with the Saints’ midfield hit by injuries to Dan Hannebery and Jade Gresham.

Gresham sidelined for extended period

At his best, Dunstan has proved be a clearance specialist and would provide Brett Ratten with added grunt at the feet of Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall as the Saints hunt a finals berth.

The 25-year-old was part of the Round 1 team that succumbed to the Kangaroos and was unlucky to miss selection in the senior line-up as the Saints returned at full strength for the season restart.

Luke Dunstan joined the squad in Noosa and has been a regular presence from the sidelines during the Saints' scratch matches. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

Webster also looms as an important addition to the squad, with his lethal left-foot and ability to play on a variety of forwards set to be a late-season option for the Saints.

A frustrating back injury has provided a series of disruptions for the defender across the year before the hamstring setback. But a deliberately cautious program has the 27-year-old joining in parts of main training this week.

If the progress continues, both Dunstan and Webster could be available for the final rounds of the home and away season.

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Another Saint who hasn’t given up hope of featuring in 2020 is Hannebery, who has stepped up his running sessions in the past week.

The experienced midfielder is hoping to re-join the Saints in Noosa at the start of September as he continues his recovery from a hamstring tendon injury.

A return date hasn’t yet been set by the club, but there is optimism that Hannebery could be available if the Saints were able to play finals.

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