NATHAN Freeman is unlikely to be recalled for St Kilda's final game of the 2018 season, with the injury-plagued midfielder's future at RSEA Park still up in the air.
The 23-year-old's contract with the Saints expires at the end of this season, with coach Alan Richardson warning on Thursday that players may be made to wait until after October's trade period before a decision is made on their future.
Freeman could only manage two games in St Kilda's senior side after finally earning his AFL debut in round 20, before he was dropped back to the VFL last week.
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He won just 14 disposals in Sandringham's loss to the Northern Blues on Saturday, before leaving the field with a heavy head knock in the final quarter.
Although it hasn't stopped him from training this week, it's unlikely Freeman will return to the side for its final match of the year against North Melbourne on Sunday.
"There won't be a lot of change," Richardson said.
"'Freezer' went back to the VFL, he was a bit unlucky to go out of the team, but it was because we picked a bit bigger team given that the Hawks have a pretty big front half.
"He didn't have an outstanding game, but he continued to build on his game. It's unlikely we'll make too many changes to our midfield and 'Freezer' is part of that."
Freeman is one of a number of Saints coming out of contract at season's end, with ruckman Billy Longer and defender Hugh Goddard also among the players facing an uncertain future.
Richardson is hopeful most will be informed of a decision over the next fortnight, however he warned others may need to wait longer depending on the club's success during the trade period.
"There's list management meetings happening all of the time," Richardson said.
"They obviously get a bit pointier as the season comes to an end and, for us, that's this weekend. We'll tidy all of that up in the next couple of weeks.
"There is a potential, depending how you go in the trade period, that unfortunately players might have to wait for a bit. That's true of all footy clubs, that's not just us.
"If it is that we know, we'll be looking to let players know next week or the week after."
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