Max King's much-anticipated AFL comeback might remain on hold with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon saying the star forward is nursing a "niggle".
King is closing in on his first senior game of the season after his shoulder injury headlined a lengthy casualty list that Lyon called "disastrous".
Lyon made it clear before Wednesday's training King is no certainty to play in Sunday's big match at Adelaide Oval against the Crows.
Asked if King would fly to Adelaide, Lyon said: "I've got no idea to be truthful.
"He's going to train today and then train on Friday and we'll have match committee.
"He's been pretty good, he just had a little niggle on the weekend. Is that anxiety? Is that maybe just a couple of little things over the last few weeks?
"It's a big decision. But he's really tall ...(and) we can do with a bit of height there."
Lyon added fellow key forward Anthony Caminiti will return from suspension, while Zaine Cordy is another option.
"It's a nice problem to have," Lyon said.
"At the end of Friday, we'll have a really good handle on it.
"If there's any doubt on him (King) - if he doesn't go 'look, I'm 100 per cent' - well, I don't think we even consider him."
While the Saints started the season with a dire injury list, they have only used 27 players - the least in the league.
Jade Gresham and Rowan Marshall suffered knocks in the win over North Melbourne, but are expected to play against the Crows.
The North game was ugly - 8.16 to 4.10 - and Lyon said goalkicking would be a focus ahead of another big test against the resurgent Crows.
"I spoke to Jack Higgins and he blamed the yellow balls ... maybe they've got that laquer," Lyon said with a rueful smile.
"Both teams - uncharacteristic ... it was incredibly frustrating.
"The only way I know is to put the shoulder to the wheel and do some more (work) on the track. It (inaccuracy) hasn't been a consistent theme for us.
"It was a hard watch, wasn't it? Put that in the bin."
While Lyon calls his first season back at St Kilda as a year of exploration, the red-hot form of defender Callum Wilkie needs no examination.
"Some things are as plain, as big as the nose on my face. He's a pretty special player, a really good person and leader," Lyon said.
