ST KILDA defender Sam Fisher has been ruled out for the rest of the season after opting to undergo toe surgery.

Fisher had been struggling with the injury for most of the season, managing his workload through the week and playing through the problem.

He has missed the Saints' last two matches however, and was a late withdrawal against Melbourne last Saturday night, bringing the issue to a head.

The two-time club champion will have surgery next week and is optimistic he will be available for the start of the 2014 pre-season.

“I’m disappointed that my season has come to an end but I intend to spend the rest of the year working with the club’s younger players and getting myself ready for a full pre-season,” Fisher said.

In better news, veteran Lenny Hayes is closing in on a return from a calf injury and will face a fitness test ahead of Sunday's clash against Richmond.

The midfielder has missed two lots of three matches, playing one game – against the Western Bulldogs in round nine – since round five.

Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan