ST KILDA defender Sam Fisher is expected to be available for the Saints' round one clash with Melbourne despite missing all of their pre-season hit-outs.
The 31-year-old, who had a second bout of surgery on his degenerative toe in the middle of last year, has been suffering from hamstring soreness in recent weeks.
He missed the NAB Challenge games against the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney, and hasn't been named for their final practice match this Saturday against Port Adelaide at Alberton.
A club spokesman confirmed to AFL.com.au on Thursday that Fisher wasn't being troubled by his foot and was instead being treated conservatively after reporting hamstring soreness.
His expected availability for their clash with the Demons on March 22 comes as positive news for the Saints, given their omissions for the season opener.
Leigh Montagna will be joined by Lenny Hayes on the sidelines after the veteran midfielder accepted a one-match sanction for the incident that resulted in Giants' midfielder Stephen Coniglio being concussed at the weekend.
Montagna will miss one game as a consequence for striking Fremantle's Ryan Crowley in round 23 last year.
Reigning best and fairest winner Jack Steven will also be absent after being diagnosed with a foot fracture last week while Sam Gilbert remains some time away from returning.
Gilbert had surgery on a foot stress fracture in early February and has only just started running.
