St Kilda midfielder David Armitage is set for an extended period on the sidelines after receiving some bad news on his injured groin.
Saints coach Alan Richardson confirmed the news on Friday morning, saying Armitage may need surgery to repair the groin injury.
"He's still pulling up really sore after the games, so he'll have to have some tests," Richardson said.
"It looks like he'll miss a bit of footy, unfortunately.
"We don't really know the extent of it until he has those scans, which my understanding will be about the middle of the week and then we'll have more information then.
"It looks like he's going to have to have, possibly, some corrective surgery, but if not an extended rest to make sure we get it right. We'll know a bit more later in the week."
The 28-year-old played against Melbourne in round one before missing rounds two and three with a groin injury, before making his return last weekend.
Armitage collected 17 disposals and took seven marks in their 14-point win over Collingwood in round four, but has since felt the groin injury get worse, and may now require surgery to repair the issue.
"He still did some reasonably good stuff for us - he was spent late," Richardson said dismissing claims that Armitage should not have played against Collingwood.
"It was one of those injuries where it wasn't going to get any worse, but hopefully you can pull up better. That wasn't the case. He's a sore boy, so he'll need to have a spell."
