Hawthorn midfielder Sam Butler will miss up to two weeks after coach Sam Mitchell revealed there have been minor issues with his leg he broke last year.
Butler broke his leg in April last year playing for Box Hill in the VFL, and made his long-awaited return 418 days after the traumatic incident.
Following impressive form in the reserves, the 22-year-old was recalled for the Round 13 clash against the Western Bulldogs, and also faced Adelaide and North Melbourne in the ensuing matches.
However, Butler will be sidelined for a brief period, with Mitchell confirming the news on Thursday morning.
"Unfortunately, Sam Butler has been ruled out," Mitchell said.
"Just with coming back from his leg, he's got a little bit of issues around that, so will probably be the one, maybe two weeks for him."
Butler will join dashing defender Josh Weddle in the stands, with the club confirming a stress fracture in his back, which puts his season in jeopardy.
The Hawks have dealt with stress-related injuries this year, as Will Day (foot), Calsher Dear (back), and Will McCabe (back) have all spent time away from the game.
Despite the "disappointing result," Mitchell insisted that the club's injury woes are not an issue, but more heightened due to the significance of the victim to the side.
"Realistically, we don't know at all, and we won't know for about a month," Mitchell said of Weddle's rehab plan.
"We've had a couple of these. Will McCabe came in with some back troubles, and obviously Calsher (at) the start of the year.
"It's reasonably similar. The process is to wait a month, don't do very much in that time, re-scan it, and see how it's gone."
Day could return in August in a huge boost to the Hawks, while Dear is pressing his case for an AFL recall after stirring form in the VFL.
The young forward teamed up with Mitch Lewis, who is returning from an ACL injury and is seen as a wildcard in the front half.
The Hawks coach sees the forward 50 squeeze as the "right dilemma" to have heading toward the finals series, applying pressure on Mabior Chol, Jack Gunston and Max Ramsden to continue performing at a high level.
Chol and Gunston combined for 12 goals in the monster victory over North Melbourne, with the pair producing career-best seasons.
Captain James Sicily and midfielder James Worpel are "more likely than unlikely" to return against the Saints, pending they get through training and recover well in preparation for Saturday's clash.
The final teams will be released on Thursday at 6.20 pm (AEST).
