Scans have confirmed that Saints skipper Jarryn Geary suffered a fractured fibula in Sunday's loss to Port Adelaide in China.
The 30-year old went down in a tackle late in the fourth quarter of the clash at Jiangwan Stadium and was immediately rushed to hospital.
St Kilda GM of Football Simon Lethlean said it was unlikely that Geary would play again this season.
“Unfortunately x-rays confirmed a break which means Jarryn will be sidelined for a number of weeks,” he told saints.com.au.
“Knowing Jarryn, he will do everything he can to be back as quickly as possible but a return towards the very end of the season would be the best case scenario.
“Given how hard he has worked to get back, it’s obviously frustrating to encounter another setback.
“We have had a number of guys step up this season and take their opportunities and we will need that to continue in the absence again of our captain.”
Geary was playing in just his first game back following surgery for compartment syndrome in his right quad.
Speaking on Fox Footy after the game, Saints great Nick Riewoldt likened the injury to Bulldog Mitch Wallis' leg break in 2016.
