ST KILDA defender Max Hudghton is still a chance to play against Geelong this week after scans revealed he only sprained his ankle in Sunday’s win over Richmond.

Scans on Monday showed Hudghton had only sprained a ligament in his right ankle.

Hudghton sustained the injury in a marking contest in the first quarter of the Richmond game and was stretchered off. He returned to the ground in the second term but came off again in the third quarter.

He was seen on crutches in the rooms after the game.

Immediately after the game, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said he initially feared the worst when the veteran was carried off.

“I was concerned. There was some feedback that we thought it was significant. We were really concerned because if it had have been as significant as we first thought, it would have been the (end of his) season - and potentially career, without being too dramatic,” Lyon said.

“He is so tough, Max, that you think for him to come off on a stretcher it is significant. As the game unfolded, we certainly didn’t want to risk him any more than we had to. Hence we pulled him for the rest of the match.”

Hudghton had a late start to the season because of a calf injury sustained in the NAB Challenge.

After making his way back through VFL side Sandringham he returned to the St Kilda side for the round 11 game against North Melbourne. He has played three games since then.