St Kilda’s worrying run of AFL pre-season injuries has now claimed veteran midfielder Leigh Montagna and young defender Nathan Wright.

The Saints confirmed on Friday that the pair will miss their round-one game on April 5 against GWS at Etihad Stadium.

Montagna and Wright were forced off during Thursday night’s 106-point pummelling from reigning premiers Hawthorn.

Coach Alan Richardson conceded post-match that Wright would probably miss the start of the season and the Saints confirmed he has a torn adductor muscle.

But Richardson had hoped Montagna would be right for round one, despite a knee injury.

Instead, the Saints announced that he will need surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee.

The Saints are optimistic that Montagna and Wright will be available for their round-two away game against Gold Coast.

Wright missed most of last season with a leg fracture.

The Saints have suffered a run of hamstring injuries in this pre-season, with Farren Ray to miss the first two months of the season because of surgery and Jack Billings also out of action.

The Saints finished bottom last season and were missing several experienced players for Thursday night’s big loss.

But captain Nick Riewoldt, David Armitage and Jarryn Geary are all expected to return to play against the Giants.