TALENTED St Kilda draftee Max King is set to sign a contract extension.
King's current deal runs until the end of 2020 after being selected with pick No.4 last year.
He is recovering from a right knee reconstruction suffered last April.
In his draft year, the lifelong St Kilda fan was doing rehab at RSEA Park twice a week and the Saints are eager to see him extend.
"Max is a long-term St Kilda player. He's a rare talent and he's done his rehab and he's fitting in," football manager Simon Lethlean told AFL.com.au.
"He lives around the corner and all top-10 picks now renegotiate pretty quickly.
"Max is no exception.
"He'll be here for longer than all of us with any luck, because he's got a big, long future at the club. He's a priority (to re-sign)."
He has been handed the No.12 previously worn by club legend Nick Riewoldt, who booted 718 goals in the jumper.
Meanwhile, key defender Jake Carlisle is no certainty to be fit for round one as he battles a back complaint.
Carlisle has been restricted to running after sustaining the injury.
His presence would be sorely missed against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, March 24.
"He had a pre-Christmas setback with his back, which is something he's always dealt with. He's had issues along the way, but that's held him back," Lethlean said.
"He's back to about 80 per cent workrate I suppose, so he's on track to be ready in time (for round one), but things would need to go right.
"He's not available for match simulation stuff at the moment, so he's the one of your core players that's not ready at the moment, but we suspect if he does the work uninhibited from now, that he will get there."
He won't play St Kilda's first JLT Community Series match against North Melbourne on Saturday, March 2, and is doubtful for the clash with the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, March 10.
"I think certainly the first one (he'll miss). I'd be surprised (if he plays) the second one," Lethlean said.
"There's then sort of 15 days between then and round one.
"We've got six weeks at the moment. I'd be surprised (if Carlisle plays in the pre-season) but we won't hold him back if he's ready.
"He's moving better now, but it took him a while to get going with the treatment he needed to have."
Visit AFL.com.au or the AFL Live Official App on Saturday to read an extended Q&A with Lethlean to find out how St Kilda plans to get back on track.
