ST KILDA could announce two new assistant coaches for Ross Lyon early next week as the club finalises its staff in preparation for 2009.

The Saints are one of the last clubs to settle their off-field team after midfield coach Anthony Rock and forwards coach John Barker made respective returns to North Melbourne and Hawthorn.

New football manager Greg Hutchison said the club had thoroughly explored its options.

"We are hopefully in a position early next week to make some announcements on that," he said.

"We’ve spent the last week and a bit speaking to a lot of people and interviewing a lot of people."

From next year the St Kilda reserves will play with Sandringham in the VFL and Zebras coach Andy Lovell will also have a development role with the Saints, working with Danny Sexton.

General manager of football development Tony Elshaug and assistant coach Stephen Silvagni will remain with the club.

St Kilda begins pre-season training on Monday with a fitness and skills session at Dendy Park, Brighton.

Up to eight players will have delayed starts because of post-season surgery but Hutchison said the list is looking healthy.

One of the recovering players, key defender Matt Maguire, is making progress after three seasons battling serious leg and foot injuries.

"Matt had a run this morning (Thursday). I saw him in the gym at lunch time. He’s on track and going pretty well," Hutchison said.

"I have no idea if he’d be right for round one next year. I haven’t had a meeting with any of the medical people. All I know is he’s had a run. We’ll have a better idea next week when we’re all back on deck."

Hutchison added the club was busy devising its strategy in preparation for the NAB AFL Draft on November 29.

"I would say that the week leading up to the draft would be the time that we will have a bit more of an idea about who we are going to go after," Hutchison said. "It’s a little bit difficult because we’re at pick 13 so it’s pretty hard to know what is going to happen.

"(List manager) Matthew Drain, (recruiting manager) John Peake and (recruiting advisor) John Beveridge have consistently met to discuss who is in the draft and what our options are so I’m sure they’ll come up with what they think is going to fall out and pick the right player that St Kilda need."