ST KILDA is considering dropping highly touted midfielder Hunter Clark as coach Alan Richardson mulls over the best way to break the first-round draftee out of his "slump".

The Saints face West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night and Clark has averaged 13 disposals through three games this season.

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Doubt is swirling over the availability of Jack Newnes, who ran laps briefly alongside Jimmy Webster (left hand) before the pair went inside.

Newnes has lined up in 117 straight games, the second-longest active streak behind evergreen Port Adelaide tall Justin Westhoff (130).

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Tough defender Jimmy Webster needs to train well on Thursday to prove his fitness after hurting his left hand in the loss to Greater Western Sydney. 

Clark's lacklustre start comes after being considered one of the big improvers at the club during the pre-season. 

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"I think Hunter's going to be an outstanding player for our footy club. Right now, he's been struggling a bit," Richardson said.

"We've spoken about that long and hard in match committee, do we keep him going, do we put him back to build a bit of confidence and a bit of belief in the VFL. We've done that once already." 

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Clark was drafted at No.7 in 2017. 

"Right now, he's in a little bit of a slump, but we'll make sure whether he's in or out, we'll support him and make sure he gets back playing good strong footy really quickly," Richardson said. 

Meanwhile, last year's No.4 pick Max King will finally take to the field after a right knee reconstruction and is set to play about 80 per cent game time in the VFL on Sunday afternoon at Victoria Park against Collingwood.

Richardson said electric forward Robbie Young and speedy backman Nick Hind were in the conversation to debut, while Luke Dunstan has been "really strong" in the VFL and Ed Phillips improving for Sandringham.

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Veteran defender Nathan Brown looks likely to be recalled to take on Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy.

"There'll be a couple of changes. We still need to see Jimmy Webster get through. Jimmy won't do everything out there today, to give him every opportunity (to play)," Richardson said.

"We're quietly confident that he'll get up but he needs to get through."

Captain Jarryn Geary took to the track and was jogging, almost three weeks after an operation on his right thigh for compartment syndrome.

Star defender Jake Carlisle is impressing with his recovery from back surgery and ran on Tuesday.

"He's going well, Jake. As people step up their load, you've got your fingers crossed a little bit, but he's going really well," Richardson said.

"In fact, he's probably ahead of schedule, which is exciting."

Ruckman Lewis Pierce is still battling concussion, a month after his head knock, and was been restricted to running laps, while young defender Oscar Clavarino looks set to resume in the VFL against the Pies after right ankle surgery required for an injury sustained during an intraclub in February.