NICK Riewoldt isn't expected to miss any football despite jarring his degenerative left knee late in Sunday's thrilling two-point win over Melbourne.
The St Kilda skipper played out the game but came off briefly after landing awkwardly on the knee in the last quarter, and looked hampered afterwards.
While he has picked up some extra inflammation in the joint, the Saints' bye this weekend is expected to give him the time he needs to manage it enough to play on June 27 against the Western Bulldogs.
The 32-year-old has managed the knee for a number of years, and resorted to orthokine therapy – where proteins from the patient's blood are injected into the joint - in 2012 and 2013.
Before this season, he hadn't missed a game through injury for two years.
Meanwhile, first-year forward Paddy McCartin has escaped a second concussion in three weeks after suffering a head knock on Saturday in the VFL.
McCartin, 19, who missed last week after being concussed a fortnight ago, went off after the last-quarter incident and didn't return.
But while he again needed stitches in his head after suffering a different wound to the one he picked up two weeks ago, he has reported no signs of concussion.
McCartin kicked three goals from his five touches in Sandringham's win over Port Melbourne, and played alongside fellow recent draftee Hugh Goddard, who was stationed up forward.
He will be available for selection next week, while Jack Billings (shin), Sam Fisher (hamstring) and Dylan Roberton (foot) face fitness tests ahead of the Dogs' clash.