ST KILDA ruckman Michael Gardiner will, for the first time this year, join the Saints' main group at training this week.

Gardiner has been sidelined since last year's drawn Grand Final with a persistent knee injury.

He has spent the entire year to date in the injury rehab group but St Kilda elite performance manager David Misson confirmed Gardiner would commence training with the full group on Wednesday.

"Big Gardy will do his first session with the group [on Wednesday]. He will do a couple of weeks training with the team and be available to play as well," Misson told saints.com.au.

Gardiner suffered tendinitis for much of last year and missed the Grand Final replay after injuring himself in the draw.

He flew to Sweden in January for an arthroscopic procedure.

Ben McEvoy has shouldered much of the ruck load for the Saints this season with relief from Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake.

But the Saints' ruck stocks would receive a significant boost with the return of the 2003 All Australian.

Midfielder Leigh Montagna is expected to line up in this week's clash with the Western Bulldogs after injuring his knee in the opening seconds of Saturday night's loss to Collingwood.

Montagna played out the game after the knee was strapped.

Another knee injury victim, Lenny Hayes, is on the mend after a minor setback.
Hayes had a knee reconstruction after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the round two draw with Richmond.

Misson said he went back to hospital to address some issues.

"He had another scope to his knee last week which cleaned up a couple of things. He noticed the difference straight away."

Luke Holmesby covers St Kilda news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_LHolmesby.