ST KILDA could be without Adam Schneider for the next few weeks with the veteran forward being treated for a mystery infection in his foot.
The 30-year-old developed the infection early this week and is being treated by a skin specialist with antibiotics.
While they remain optimistic he is now responding to treatment, coach Alan Richardson admitted there was a degree of unknown about how the 205-game player contracted the problem.
"His foot basically has received some sort of infection, his foot has swollen – is it bone, is it skin, they're still working through that," Richardson said.
"It's looking like a couple of weeks.
"It could have been a lot worse so that's a positive."
The infection is not thought to be related to any previous injury and doesn't seem to have stemmed from a cut or laceration, like David Armitage suffered earlier in the year in his knee.
While the treatment hasn't worked quickly enough for Schneider to be considered for Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide, he is improving.
"His foot is responding as though it's had some sort of infection so they're a little bit bemused but it's starting to respond to the antibiotics," Richardson said.
"I'm not a doctor but they're really confident it's heading in the right direction."
It's another injury setback for Schneider after a badly bruised back – sustained against Port Adelaide in the pre-season – kept him out until round five.
He has played just 13 games across the past two years because of hamstring problems but dropped four kilograms ahead of this season to try and put those issues behind him.
Meanwhile, Armitage will line up for Sandringham on Saturday in his second VFL hit-out following his left knee infection.
Armitage tore open his kneecap against Adelaide in round four and developed an infection that required a week and a half in hospital and two procedures.
"He was really close but didn't quite get there," Richardson said.
"He was very keen to play, he's a warrior, he's a leader and he understands the situation we're in and wanted to play.
"We just don't think it's going to be in his best interest to play at this stage so one more week and he should be right."
The Saints took Tom Curren to Adelaide as their travelling emergency, with Richardson admitting there was still a chance he could play.
