Max King's hopes of having an impact on the AFL this season have taken a significant hit following scans on his hamstring injury.
The St Kilda star will miss at least six weeks, as the Saints understandably take a super-conservative approach to his rehab.
King will once again have to return via the VFL so it is a long road back for the spearhead, so important in the Saints' tilt at becoming serious premiership challenger.
The 25-year-old has not played an AFL game since Round 16, 2024, so plenty will need to go right from here for King to back and firing for the final third of the season.
St Kilda will continue to take a long-term approach to King, who has been forced to overcome multiple knee and calf issues.
In his second VFL game in six games, King was looking threatening when he grabbed his hamstring after a routine lead and left the ground.
King kicked two goals within the first two quarters before succumbing to the injury and showed promising signs.
He made it through an entire game in the VFL last weekend and would be a massive addition to the Saints' lineup, already boosted by two-pronged ruck team Tom De Koning and Rowan Marshall.
Dan Butler has a standard low-grade hamstring and could return for the Saints within three weeks.
The Saints have a tough month ahead after an impressive second half demolition of Carlton on Saturday night.
