ST KILDA will be without star defender Jimmy Webster for Sunday afternoon's clash with Melbourne but captain Jarryn Geary looks set to return.

Fellow backman Bailey Rice is also likely to face the Demons at the MCG after being concussed in the win over Gold Coast before the Saints' bye.

Webster, who turned 25 on Thursday, is out with a groin injury while Geary had been dealing with a left calf strain. 

"Jimmy won't play, which is disappointing. He's probably been our best player, or arguably our best player, for the year, so that’s disappointing," coach Alan Richardson said. 

"Geary is right in the mix. He'll need to train well. It's a pretty meaningful session today given that we don't play until Sunday. 

"Ricey's had a couple of injuries but he's had two weeks since the concussion. He'll need to train well today. He trained pretty positively on Tuesday so we'd expect him to be right."

Webster ran laps at training on Thursday at RSEA Park.

Rice, 21, had also been carrying general soreness from the loss to Sydney, rather than picking that issue up against the Suns.  

"It was actually the week before (Rice was hurt). Just a bit of general soreness so the bye came at a pretty good time for him," Richardson said.  

Forward Josh Bruce is likely to spend at least another week in the VFL after having strung two games together for Sandringham in his return from a back issue.  

"He's in the mix. My gut feel is he probably needs another one and, if it is that forwards perform strongly in front of him, then he'll be in the VFL for a bit more," Richardson said.  

Josh Battle has booted five goals in the past two matches while Paddy McCartin slotted two in the comeback win over the Suns.  

Bruce didn't kick any against Williamstown before the bye, but neither did the whole Sandringham side, as heavy rain bucketed down.  

The 26-year-old's fitness isn't an issue. Rather, form is his focus.  

"He's a really strong athlete, he's got really strong endurance capabilities, so that's not really going to be an issue for him. It's just that we needs to get his footy back," Richardson said.    

Midfielder Blake Acres will have another week on the sidelines as he recovers from a groin complaint.  

"He's got a lot of running under his belt but he needs to get a bit more of the high-grade agility work, the physical work, the real footy stuff now and the plan is that he'll play next week, very likely through the VFL," Richardson said.