ST KILDA has removed Fraser Gehrig from the long-term injury list with the club reporting the 32-year-old has trained strongly in recent weeks after recovering from hand surgery earlier in the year. 

But in a statement released on Thursday the Saints said Gehrig was “unlikely to play this season” with a club spokesman confirming his return to the senior list was a precautionary measure taken to provide cover in case of further injuries to key forwards. 

“Obviously it’s been tough for Fraser to sit on the sidelines and watch the guys play for the majority of the year, but it’s a really positive step for him to have resumed full training,” coach Ross Lyon said in the statement.

Gehrig returned to Moorabbin after retiring at the conclusion of the 2007 season and played five games before injury concerns, chiefly an arthritic hand condition, saw him placed on the long-term injury list after round eight.

“The club has given me all of the support and medical treatment I need, however I know where I fit in the current scope of the team and it will be really tough to get back,” Gehrig said.

“My return to football didn’t quite go to plan earlier this year and my body just hasn’t held up the way I would have liked. I’ve worked hard to stay on track, remain focused and give the Saints everything that I can.”

The 260-game veteran’s return to full training was described as a “positive influence” on the playing group.

The move will not affect elevated rookies Robert Eddy, who has played the last five matches in the senior side after making his AFL debut against Fremantle in round 13, or Andrew McQualter who has played six games since round 12.

Eljay Connors (shoulder) and Matt Maguire (foot) have both been ruled out for rest of the season with their respective injuries.