St Kilda father-son recruit Bailey Rice has had the brakes applied on his first pre-season at the Saints after coming down with glandular fever this week.

GM – Football Performance Jamie Cox said the 18-year-old, who did not take part in the first-year’s induction camp in Tasmania last weekend, is expected to miss the next few weeks.

“Bailey had been feeling a little under the weather recently and subsequent tests revealed he has glandular fever,” Cox told saints.com.au on Wednesday.

“Bailey will rest and recuperate over the next few weeks before we progressively begin to reintegrate him back into the football program.

“His health and how he responds to a gradual increase in load will determine when he returns to full training."  

Rice was selected with the Saints third pick in last November’s National Draft – selection No. 49 – after he nominated St Kilda as his preferred destination.

The Dandenong Stingrays recruit was eligible for both the Saints and Blues following his father Dean’s decorated career.