ST KILDA coach Scott Watters is hopeful Stephen Milne will be available to play within a month but says his return will be based on a duty of care to the veteran.
Milne was stood down from playing duties for an indefinite period after he was charged with four counts of rape this week.
Watters insisted Milne would play again, but said he needed time to "prioritise his family in what's a really sensitive situation".
"We think the outcome has been the best outcome for both [the club and Milne]," Watters said.
"I think the decision that's been made is a fantastic decision in a very tough set of circumstances for the club.
"Stephen will return to play. We'd be very hopeful that within three to four weeks he's available to come back and do what he loves doing.
"We just need to see how things unfold."
However, Watters conceded the club was unsure when he would be ready.
"He's eligible to play. There's always a presumption of innocence and the club is standing behind that," the coach said.
"With consultation with our club psychologist and obviously my relationship with him, and a lot of discussions with Stephen, we'll work out the right time to play."
Watters said the board, football department and leadership group were all united in the decision to suspend the 33-year-old despite skipper Nick Riewoldt saying on radio earlier this week that Milne should play this weekend.
He said reports of a player group "rebellion" were laughable and he had instigated a Thursday meeting between senior players and members of the club's board.
"There was a phone call from me to the leadership group to actually say we'd love you to come in at 12 o'clock and have the opportunity to further discuss what's been a really tough time for the club," Watters said on Friday.
"They had the opportunity to sit with two or three directors, which I instigated because open communication in this sort of time is absolutely critical.
"On top of that, I contacted six or seven senior players and again, I asked them to come in.
"Out of that, I think everyone's as comfortable as you can be in what is a pretty testing time."
Meanwhile, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on Friday the League would continue to monitor the situation, but agreed Milne should be able to resume playing at some point.
"No player is above the law, and we all agree with this notion, this very important belief of the presumption of innocence and that all people have got the opportunity to have their case heard," Demetriou said on Radio 3AW.
Demetriou said the issue was very complex and the League was treating it very seriously.
"It's the AFL Commission's view that we welcome the opportunity for this to be heard by the right process … and that's the judicial system.
"It's very unfortunate this time lapse, particularly for her, particularly for Stephen Milne, for all people concerned."
Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
