Good news for Saints as King set to return to training

Max King is set for a return to full AFL training next week in some badly needed good news on the injury front for St Kilda.

The Saints key forward was among three frontline players injured on a morning of carnage last Friday at training.

While Jack Sinclair's hamstring has sidelined him for four weeks and Mason Wood is out for two to three weeks with a sore quad, the news is much more positive about King.

"Max will have a lighter week as a precaution, but will be back to full training next week," Saints football boss David Misson said in a club statement.

King has had a rotten run with injury, including a knee problem last year that restricted him to only 12 games.

The Saints have already lost young gun Mattaes Phillipou for another nine to 10 weeks with a leg stress fracture.

Rowan Marshall could play in round one as he recovers from a pelvis injury, while Liam Henry (knee) is about to return to full training.

Dougal Howard is recovering from shoulder surgery last week and Paddy Dow is sidelined indefinitely after a serious knee infection.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn have confirmed young key forward Calsher Dear will miss the start of the season because of a lower back stress fracture.

Dear has been on a rehabilitation program since December and scans have shown he needs more time to recover.

He had an impressive debut season last year, kicking 25 goals in 17 games

Melbourne defender Judd McVee hurt his right hamstring at training on Wednesday, with the Demons awaiting the results of scans.

"Fingers crossed it's not significant, but we will know more shortly," said Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson.

Vice-captain Jack Viney is sidelined this week with a rib injury and young gun Caleb Windsor is recovering from a skin infection.

The club added Christian Salem and Jack Bowey missed Wednesday training due to illness.