YOUNG St Kilda forward Josh Battle will miss Friday night's clash with Essendon as he recovers from concussion.
Battle was sidelined early in last Saturday night's loss to the Western Bulldogs after an accidental head clash with Dale Morris and is no certainty to be fit the following week against Hawthorn.
"He'll be one to two weeks. He's in the hands of the docs with regard to concussion. Hopefully he comes back quickly," St Kilda head physio Andrew Wallis told saints.com.au.
MATCH PREVIEW Bombers v Saints
The 19-year-old's absence means Rowan Marshall will likely return to the side.
The Saints will also be without ruckman Tom Hickey, who suffered a left hamstring tendon injury against the Dogs in the second quarter while diving to tackle Lachie Hunter.
With Billy Longer out the rest of the season after ankle surgery, Lewis Pierce is in line to come for his second career game, with his first against Carlton in round 12, 2016.
Josh Battle has been ruled out with concussion after this clash with Dale Morris in the first quarter.
— AFL (@AFL) August 4, 2018
Update thanks to @MLC_Australia #AFLSaintsDogs pic.twitter.com/2VS3F58ucy
Meanwhile, tough forward Mav Weller should be right to go after hamstring tightness kept him out against the Bulldogs.
"Brandon White comes back from a hip flexor and Mav Weller from a hamstring. Both should be available (but) will have to get through Thursday training," Wallis said.
Hard nut Nathan Wright faces one more game on the sidelines with knee bone bruising. He has been training twice a week recently, with the Saints to monitor how he progresses.
Wright's contract expires at season's end.