St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt is a strong chance to make his AFL return just a fortnight after suffering what some feared would be a career-ending knee injury.
In the first game of his 17th season, 34-year-old Riewoldt hyperextended his right knee during the Saints' opening-round loss to Melbourne.
The diagnosis came as a massive relief for the Saints given there were initially fears Riewoldt had torn his anterior cruciate ligament - an injury that would have required a knee reconstruction and potentially forced him into retirement.
Riewoldt later admitted he had contemplated a farewell wave as he was taken off the field at Etihad Stadium on a stretcher.
But the fiercely-competitive veteran, who is renowned for his ability to get the best out of his body, could make an early return against Brisbane on Sunday.
St Kilda football boss Jamie Cox says Riewoldt and midfielder David Armitage (groin) will both be considered for the Etihad Stadium clash.
"They both trained pretty well today and both have given themselves a strong chance to be up for selection on the weekend," Cox said on Tuesday night.
"They'll need to recover well from today and train strongly on Thursday to be in the selection mix."
Tough midfielder Jack Steven will miss Sunday's game after having to extend his stay in Perth because of a punctured lung he suffered during their loss to West Coast.
Cox said Steven would have to prove his fitness before being selected to face Collingwood in round four.
"Jack has now flown home and he had a procedure back here in Melbourne," Cox said.
"He'll miss this week, for sure, and he'll be probably a test next week."
Rookie Hugh Goddard, who ruptured his achilles midway through last season, and former Western Bulldogs recruit Koby Stevens (illness) are both in line to return through the VFL over the weekend.
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