St Kilda key defender Jake Carlisle has returned to full training for the first time since his return to the club, after the former Bomber completed his rehabilitation from the hip surgery he underwent in the middle of last year.

The 25-year-old has gradually been integrated back into the main group this summer, before taking a significant step forward this week.

With off-season acquisition, Nathan Brown, making an impact in his first pre-season at Linen House Centre, a fully fit Carlisle is a significant puzzle piece in the Saints’ new-look backline.

St Kilda GM of Football Performance, Jamie Cox, said the highly rated key position star has already shown how valuable he will be for the Saints going forward.

“He’s now in full training and really showing us what we’ve missed in the past, which is another big body to help look after some of those big monsters up forward,” Cox told Melbourne radio station SEN.

“He’s obviously a really talented footballer, irrespective of his size, we know he’ll be a really good player for us. Jake’s been recruited for a purpose that we’re really excited about.”

Before the arrival of Brown and the return of Carlisle, the Saints have previously asked Sam Fisher and Sean Dempster to play above their weight class, even sometimes requiring Sam Gilbert and Dylan Roberton to play on key forwards.

With the pairs impending inclusion this season, Cox said the club was thrilled to be able to release players like Dempster and Roberton to more suitable match-ups and roles, which should help the Saints become better defensively and better at transitioning the ball from defence to offence.

“He fills a post that we desperately needed, we needed to be able to release some of our terrific soldiers in Dempster and Roberton and guys who have had to play above their weight division if you like,” Cox said.

“It’s probably just as exciting as getting Browny to take care of those bigger bodied full forwards to free up smaller bodies so that they can go back to playing roles that they’re better suited to.

“Both Jake and Nathan are training stronger and we’re excited for both of them.”