ST KILDA midfielder Jack Steele will not miss any time with the minor left ankle injury he sustained in the Saints' final training session before Christmas.

A since-deleted Instagram photo of Steele wearing a moonboot while back home in Canberra on Christmas Day sparked fears of a more serious setback.

But St Kilda confirmed the 22-year-old would be with the main group when players resume training next Monday.

Steele enjoyed a breakout 2017 season with the Saints after successfully requesting a trade from Greater Western Sydney, where he played 17 games in two seasons.

He averaged a career-high 22.1 disposals (10.5 contested), 7.9 tackles (ranked second in the AFL) and 3.8 clearances in 20 matches for Alan Richardson's side.

Richardson demoted Steele to the VFL for a fortnight mid-year, but he returned for good in round 15 and won at least 22 possessions in seven of nine games and laid double-digit tackles three times.

Steele started his St Kilda career in a moonboot and was unable to start running until January last year, whereas he encouragingly placed fifth in the club's time trial two months ago.

"This time last year I had a broken foot and a big pot belly," Steele told AFL.com.au in November.

"I want to increase my running capacity during a game.

"I feel like I'm fit out here training, but I don't really utilise that so much when it comes to a game, so that's going to be my focus. Just getting a lot more on the outside."