St Kilda key forward Max King will play North Melbourne next round, pending him getting through the required training.
King hasn't played since Round 16 in 2024, having been sidelined with knee and shoulder issues.
The star Saint almost returned earlier in the year, before a hamstring injury in the VFL struck him down, but coach Ross Lyon is confident more than ever he's almost ready.
"I would think he plays," Lyon said following Thursday's 27-point loss to Geelong.
"Saints fans, get ready for him playing. Yeah, he'll be playing.
"He's got to get through the week, but he's in pretty good nick, and he's keen to play, and that's exciting for us."
St Kilda could also welcome back boom recruit Tom De Koning, who's missed the last few weeks with a rib injury.
Rowan Marshall battled impressively solo against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium, collecting 33 disposals, two goals, and 12 clearances.
Lyon believes the pair is a "powerful combination", and will welcome all three in the side next week.
"To be honest, when they're both in (De Koning and Marshall), we're a better team, and we're a more threatening team and a more challenging front half. They kick goals and our stoppage stuff, our score rate, hasn't been done for 17 years at this club," he said.
"So it's in the facts. You can't discard the facts, how powerful it's been as a combination, and he was very good tonight."
Marshall has been linked to another move after attempting to join Geelong last year.
The Western Bulldogs are a club to watch given the chatter around Tim English, while the Cats are still in need of a ruckman.
Despite the loss, the Saints sit precariously inside the top 10, but are tipped to slip outside the Wildcard Round slots, as GWS, Carlton and North Melbourne nip at their heels.
St Kilda's final five games come against all teams outside the top 10 except Sydney in Round 21.
Match-ups with the Kangaroos, Carlton, Richmond and Gold Coast have the Moorabbin club in line to push for a return to finals.
