Mitch Owens during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between St Kilda and Collingwood (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

St Kilda is preparing for a selection headache within their forward line for Thursday's clash with Sydney as the Saints prepare to welcome the return of Mitch Owens.

Owens missed his side's Round 11 loss to Hawthorn due to concussion, with the Saints' recent bye weekend clearing the second-year sensation to be in the mix for a return.

The Next Generation Academy graduate will need to pass fitness tests on Tuesday before being named, with Owens set to force the Saints into a selection dilemma.

Senior coach Ross Lyon could also have Tim Membrey available for the trip SCG following his own battle with head trauma, leaving the Saints to weigh up a handful of selection choices for their attacking third.

Star target Max King made his return from shoulder surgery against the Hawks to boot four goals, while first-year forward Anthony Caminiti is also in consideration to retain his place under Lyon.

The Saints boss said players will pick themselves come St Kilda's match committee meeting, with form set to separate each selection option.

"Mitch has got to get through (training) today," Lyon told reporters on Tuesday.

"He's been a revelation, hasn't he? But again, I wish I could guarantee he'll play like he did in the previous weeks, but I cant. But he would come in (if cleared).

St Kilda Saint Mitchito Owens (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

"Max has come in and had a real impact, we think he's still building

"Then there's Anthony Caminiti, who really did a lot of good work in those early weeks. Tim, who had a really injury-interrupted pre-season and is working back to his best. We're sure he'll get there.

"At the end of the day it's going to be about form. Form dictates (selection). Everyone thinks we pick the team, players pick themselves."

Lyon expressed his pleasure in King's return from injury, however decided to steer away from speaking on the attention his young star attracts from outside of the club's four walls.

The Saints coach said he doesn't agree with labelling prized AFL talent as 'franchise players', stressing the need to have a stronger spread of talent instead of one or two key figures.

"I just (tell King) make sure you chase, tackle, bring the ball to ground," Lyon said of the 22-year-old.

"It's very hard, I know there's a lot of noise around him, but we want to get away from (attention all on King). Football is a weakest link game. It's not a strongest link game, we're not a basketball (team) where one person can turn around a franchise.

"I don't see (King) as a franchise player. I don't get that term in the AFL.

"...He seems like he's handling (the attention) okay."

The Saints won't have midfield-forward Jack Billings available for at least the next month following a grade two hamstring strain sustained in the VFL last month.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Jack Billings of the Saints in action during the 2022 AFL Round 16 match between the Carlton Blues and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on July 01, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

In what was Billings' fourth game with Sandringham in his return from a pre-season leg fracture, the senior Saint suffered the setback late into the Zebras' win over Coburg.

Billings will require the next 4-6 weeks on the sidelines before likely being cleared to make his return to play.

St Kilda are scheduled to face Sydney at the SCG on Thursday night at 7:10pm (AEST).