Ross Lyon predicts Max King will outlast him at St Kilda and remains bullish about the injury-plagued key forward's AFL future.
After being sidelined for all of last season with a persistent knee problem, King is now recovering from a hamstring injury as he tries to make a comeback.
What the Saints are missing with King sidelined was emphasised last week when they could only manage 0.5 to halftime against Hawthorn.
Lyon said before Friday training that King returned to running this week and again pleaded for patience from Saints fans.
"He's right in and it's just a matter of time," Lyon said.
"That's what we envisage for Max, that's what Max envisages. But in the now, it's a tough time for him and it's a tough time for us.
