The 33-year-old returned to the side and kicked two goals on Saturday night as the Saints lost to Carlton by six goals.
Milne had missed the previous three games because of a club-imposed suspension, which was announced two days after Victoria Police charged him with four counts of rape.
The charges stem from an alleged incident in 2004.
Coach Scott Watters said on Sunday that the Saints want Milne to show strong form for the remainder of the season before they talk about next year.
"My instruction to Milney three or four, five weeks ago was `you need to play the season out well, you need to make sure your form's up'," Watters told Channel Nine's The Footy Show.
"Then we'll make a joint decision at the end of the year."
But regardless of Milne's form, the Saints might not be able to pick him for a large part of next year.
Under AFL rules, Milne cannot play if the charges go to trial.
He fronted a brief court appearance earlier this month and the next step is a committal mention on September 13.
Milne made a quiet return on Saturday night, with 10 possessions and two goals, and was booed when he touched the ball.
The All Australian small forward for the last two years had been down on form through the first half of this season.
But the week before he was suspended, Milne kicked a season-high five goals against West Coast.
Another Saints veteran who has an uncertain future beyond this season is onballer Lenny Hayes.
The incredibly durable midfielder was high among the Saints' best on Saturday night with 28 possessions.
It was his second game back after four games out with calf muscle problems.
Hayes needed heart surgery after last season to fix a leaking valve, but he overcame that health scare without any apparent problems.
"I've said that I'd like Lenny to actually use the remainder of this year to come and probably give us his thoughts on whether he can contribute next year," Watters said.
