Budding key forward Paddy McCartin is set to be available for selection after overcoming a minor knee issue, but after St Kilda recorded 29 scoring shots against North Melbourne, will the Saints make any changes in attack?

After playing three games following a stint in the VFL, the 2014 No. 1 pick missed last Friday night’s win at Etihad Stadium.

McCartin, 21, had displayed signs of his prodigious talent against the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide, collecting career-high possession hauls of 15 in each game, as well as taking nine marks against the Dogs.

With Sandringham having the bye last weekend, new midfield recruit Jack Steele, who was left out of the team for the first time last week, didn’t get an opportunity to mount a case for a recall.

Neither did ruckman Tom Hickey or Bailey Rice – the Saints two other emergencies against the Kangaroos.

After grasping the No. 1 ruck mantle last year, Hickey hasn’t recaptured that form in 2017, relinquishing his spot to Billy Longer, before a knee injury in the VFL set him back.

The former Gold Coast Sun has returned in the last fortnight and is putting pressure on Longer for the spot in Alan Richardson’s side.

Father-son recruit Rice is closing in on a debut and came pretty close last weekend, with Richardson indicating the half-back would have replaced Jake Carlisle in the selected side if the key defender didn’t prove his fitness ahead of the bounce.

Midfielder-forward Darren Minchington remains in the selection frame despite not featuring in the last two games for the Saints.

He has played five games this year and put his hand up for another opportunity with a strong performance against Williamstown last start.