St Kilda remain hopeful veteran utility Leigh Montagna will be ready for the start of the AFL season, despite his calf muscle injury.
The 33-year-old suffered the injury early last month and will miss all three pre-season games.
Coach Alan Richardson admits it will be touch and go whether Montagna can prove his fitness for the big round-match on March 25 against Melbourne.
The Saints and Demons are seen as two teams on the verge of top-eight returns this season.
"Joey's fighting time, to be honest ... we'll see what happens," Richardson told Fox Footy.
The Saints say Montagna is on the verge of returning to full training.
He could play for VFL affiliates Sandringham a week out from their season opener against Melbourne.
They also could test his readiness next weekend in an internal hitout.
"He's no guarantee at this stage, but he's tracking well and we're still considering him for round one," football manager Jamie Cox told the AFL website.
"There's a few other football discussions around whether he's actually done enough work, but someone of that experience, there's a good case to back him in."
Montagna has played 271 games and is renowned for his durability.
He played 17 games in 2015 - the only season since 2006 that he had not racked up at least 20 matches.
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