Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is confident Nat Fyfe’s bung left shoulder won’t stop the star midfielder sizzling for the rest of the AFL season.

Fyfe, whose reconstructed shoulder popped out in last week’s 29-point win over Brisbane, will visit a specialist in Melbourne on Thursday to seek a second opinion on the best course of action.

Last year, Fyfe experienced several dislocations but still managed to play 21 games in a standout campaign before going under the knife.

Given that history, the club expects Fyfe to again be given the all-clear to battle on through the pain, starting with Friday night’s clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

“He trained fully,” Lyon said on Wednesday.

“I think we’re living in a fool’s paradise if we think it’s absolutely perfect. He clearly sustained an injury.

“But most players carry something in.

“And he came second in the B and F last year and almost could have won it with the same sort of issues.

“He’s really confident – he’s determined to play.”

In the unlikely event Fyfe is ruled out against the Saints, the Dockers have plenty of cover, with Dylan Roberton, Lachie Neale and Jack Anthony flying over as part of a 25-man squad.

Hayden Ballantyne is a key inclusion after serving his two-match ban, with the return of the feisty forward coming at a perfect time following a serious hamstring injury to young goalsneak Josh Mellington.

Lyon, who walked out on the Saints at the end of last year to become Fremantle coach, said he wasn’t worried about the reception awaiting him at his former stomping ground.

“I certainly haven’t been thinking about it all week. I think it’s a moot point,” he said.

“I’ve been copping abuse for the last five years as a senior coach, so you can’t please everyone all the time.

“I’ll control what I can.

“I’ve certainly got a lot of friends there, particularly the players I worked really hard with to try to achieve a result. Ultimately, it fell short.

“They’re doing wonderful things at the moment.

“I certainly know what they’re capable of and, at their very best, it can be a daunting task.”

Lyon took the Saints to three grand finals during his time in charge, and admitted the Dockers would need to be on their game to bank the four points.

“Our job’s to play our style of footy and make them react to us a little bit,” Lyon said.

“Do you double team Nick Riewoldt? Do you tag (Lenny) Hayes, (Nick) Dal Santo, (Brendon) Goddard? Who do you match up on (Stephen) Milne and how do you control Sam Fisher?

“All those types of things are running through (my mind).”