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AAP
AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

Blues suffer Saad setback, Pittonet clear to play

Defender Adam Saad will miss Carlton's clash against St Kilda with a low-grade hamstring strain. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

All-Australian defender Adam Saad has been ruled out for up to a fortnight with a hamstring injury in a blow for Carlton ahead of their AFL clash with St Kilda.

Ruckman Marc Pittonet has been cleared of damage to his eye and will play against the Saints on Sunday, while Mitch McGovern faces a fitness test later in the week.

McGovern was a late withdrawal from the round-five defeat to Adelaide because of a calf issue.

Pittonet was substituted out of that match with a lacerated eye before Saad went down with a hamstring injury.

The Blues on Wednesday said scans had revealed a low-grade strain that will keep Saad out of action for "one to two weeks".

Saad joins fellow half-backs Sam Docherty (knee), Jordan Boyd (foot) and Zac Williams (knee) on the sidelines.

It opens the door for supplemental selection period signing Alex Cincotta to possibly make his senior debut after he tallied 37 disposals in the VFL last week.

McGovern will aim to train with Carlton's main group on Friday in a bid to play against St Kilda.

Both sides are looking to bounce back in the Marvel Stadium contest after suffering their first defeats of the season in round five.

The Saints have lost young gun Anthony Caminiti to a three-match suspension for striking Collingwood's Nathan Murphy but will be able to recall experienced forward Tim Membrey in his place.

Membrey has had a delayed start to the season with a knee injury and is expected to return against the Blues alongside captain Jack Steele, who has missed three games with a broken collarbone.

Tough midfielder Steele had surgery last month but trained on Wednesday and is set to do battle with Carlton captain Patrick Cripps.

"The specialists gave him the extra clearance yesterday, so he'll train today and Friday and play (on Sunday)," St Kilda coach Lyon said.

"He'll probably go head to head with (Patrick) Cripps. I'd expect two great ball-winners to go at it."

Membrey was named as an emergency last week and is set to bolster the Saints' forward-line against Carlton.

"I think it's more likely than unlikely but I need to give respect to the match committee," Lyon said.

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