RECRUIT Jack Steven has added to Geelong's growing list of injury concerns after tweaking his calf at training.
Steven has been away from the main group in the past fortnight, delaying his return to full fitness despite a promising display on the training track before Christmas.
The four-time St Kilda best and fairest contemplated walking away from football last year while battling with his mental health that limited him to seven games for the Saints.
Traded to Geelong in October, Steven immediately set about trimming down after admitting he played overweight late in 2019.
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
He is set to re-join the main group in coming days and make a push towards playing his first game as a Cat in the Marsh Community Series against Gold Coast on February 22.
Steven is expected to feature predominantly as a forward as he builds his fitness before graduating to greater midfield minutes and offset the Cats' loss of Tim Kelly.
Jack Steven makes it look easy on his non-preferred! #AFLSaintsCrows pic.twitter.com/5Og5aihRNW
— AFL (@AFL) April 27, 2019
The Cats are dealing with several injuries as captain Joel Selwood (hamstring), gun wingman Mitch Duncan (hip/shoulder) and dual All-Australian Tom Stewart (groin) remain on individual programs.
Defender Jake Kolodjashnij will miss round one following hip surgery, while reliable backman Mark O'Connor has been dealing with a toe complaint.
Second-year Irishman Stefan Okunbor is set to miss the bulk of 2020 after undergoing surgery for his ruptured Achilles on Sunday.