ST KILDA recruit Nathan Freeman's troublesome hamstring has flared again with the former Pie being withdrawn from Sandringham's VFL reserves team on Saturday.
Freeman was expected to play in the clash against Coburg but tightness in the muscle at training on Friday meant he was pulled out of the team.
He will have scans in the coming days.
Saints coach Alan Richardson told reporters on Thursday the club had expected a bumpy ride for Freeman.
"He's had a couple of mishaps, we certainly won't pretend that hasn't happened, but we knew that would happen," Richardson said.
"When you don't play footy for two years, it's unlikely you're going to come in and just hit the ground running and not have interruptions."
Freeman, 20, is yet to make a senior debut since being drafted at No.10 in 2013 by Collingwood.
He has lined up in two VFL reserves games this year. On April 9, Freeman gathered 46 disposals in three quarters, but sat out the next month after another setback. His return on May 14 saw him pick up 10 disposals.
