ST KILDA midfielder Luke Ball will miss two to three weeks of football after scans revealed on Monday that he had strained his left hamstring during Sunday's come-from-behind win over Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome.

It will be Ball's first absence for the season, with the former co-captain being one of St Kilda's best performers in 2008.

The club released a statement on Monday afternoon saying "the strain is to the belly of the muscle, not the tendon", a preferred outcome for the onballer.

Ball, who was one of St Kilda's best with an outstanding 14 tackles, suffered the injury late in the game when put his body on the line in a contest situation. Out of that contest came the winning goal from teammate Jason Gram. 

Meanwhile, key defender Max Hudghton will face a fitness test this week in the lead up to Saturday night's clash against Collingwood at the MCG. 

Xavier Clarke (hamstring), who played for Casey Scorpions on the weekend, also faces a fitness test.