St Kilda are hoping the likely AFL return of veteran midfielder Lenny Hayes has a trickle-down effect that stops the surge of Richmond dangerman Jack Riewoldt in their MCG clash on Sunday.

The gun forward has almost single-handedly put the Saints to the sword in their last two AFL meetings, kicking a total of 15 goals.

“Jack has been a thorn in our side, no doubt,” said St Kilda coach Scott Watters.

“We need to have a look at what sort of options we’ve got to apply pressure.

“Ultimately it always comes down to what sort of midfield pressure you apply as well, and the type of supply that he’s getting, but he’s certainly been a player that’s caused us a lot of trouble over the last three or four years.”

Their cause hasn’t been helped this week with the loss of defender Sam Fisher, who required season-ending toe surgery.

Hayes hasn’t played since round nine in late May due to a hamstring injury but is tipped to make a comeback on Sunday afternoon.

Watters said that Hayes still had to get through training before he was given the green light, and if he didn’t come up for the Tigers, could play for their VFL club Sandringham.

“We’d be really hopeful that Lenny plays this week,” he said.

The young Saints have missed his on-field leadership, and his return is key with the Tigers’ midfield one of the best in the competition.

“They’re a very talented side,” Watters said.

“I think five or six of their midfielders are top-10 draft picks and probably four or five of them are top-five draft picks, so merely looking at the talent, it’s a great challenge for our group.”

Watters said his team had taken confidence from their 35-point win over Melbourne after a tumultuous week that saw veteran Stephen Milne stood down from playing after being charged with rape.

The coach didn’t want to expand on Milne apart from saying he was “coping well”.

Ruckman Ben McEvoy, who got a head knock against the Demons, looked strong at training at Seaford and is set to take his place in the side.