In welcome news for both Brett Ratten and St Kilda's swathe of loyal supporters, injury-prone former Swan, Dan Hannebery has reportedly been given the green light to make his long-awaited return from injury.

However, for the premiership player, his first competitive game since the Saints' Semi-Final loss to the Tigers last season won't take place at Metricon Stadium but rather the windswept surrounds of Sandringham's Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

News of the 30-year-old's return to attraction came to light just before midday on Thursday when The Age's Daniel Cherny tweeted that Hannebery had completed his rehabilitation and was passed fit to face Essendon in the Zebra's Round 13 VFL clash this Sunday.

The journalist also captured what he referred to as an 'unfamiliar sight' when he snapped the 2010 Rising Star training with the main group at RSEA Park on Thursday morning.

Hannebery has suffered from multiple soft tissue issues since trading the harbour city for Melbourne's bayside suburbs after the 2018 season.

The latest complaint - a calf injury - has seen the Saint miss the entirety of his side's 2021 campaign.

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The former second round draft pick has only managed to lace the boots for the Moorabbin men on 13-occasions across three seasons following 208-games for the Swans between 2009 and 2018.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Dan Hannebery of the Saints looks dejected after losing the round 14 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on June 22, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

In further good news for a former Cygnet-come-Saint, Cherny also reported that Zak Jones would make his return for Ratten's side this weekend after rupturing his quad during a training session in May.

Jones, 26, has not featured in the Saints' senior team since Round 8 of this season when the midfielder collected 31-disposals in his side's nine point win over the Suns.

The 7-8 Saints are set to face Brisbane on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.