St Kilda has included key forward Paddy McCartin, rebounding defender Shane Savage and midfielder Jack Steele in their 25-man squad to face Gold Coast on Sunday, although none of the three are confirmed starters.

The trio has been named on an extended bench along with midfielders Luke Dunstan and Blake Acres, small forward Jack Lonie and half-back Jimmy Webster, with the squad to be trimmed to a final 22 on Friday afternoon.

McCartin, 21, has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of last Friday night’s win over North Melbourne, but after St Kilda returned to the winner’s list, the Saints might not be able to fit him into a forward line that functioned well against the Kangaroos.

With Nick Riewoldt returning last weekend, Josh Bruce following up his return performance against Adelaide with another eye-catching effort and Tim Membrey making an impact, McCartin might have to come back through the VFL.

Off-season acquisition Steele has been named in the extended squad after being left out for the first time as a Saint last weekend.

While former Hawk Savage is a chance to return for his first senior appearance since Round 10 and his fifth game for 2017.

Gold Coast superstar and dual Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett will play his 300th game at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, against a side he terrorised as a Cat during the Saints Grand Final era at the end of the last decade.

Rodney Eade’s side has won three of the last four encounters between the two sides, including the most recent game at Metricon Stadium in Round 15, 2016.

After evening their season out at 6-6 on the back of the win over North Melbourne, St Kilda can potentially move back inside the top eight or remain amongst the flock of teams in the middle section of the ladder with a win over Gold Coast.

Round 14 Team v Gold Coast Suns
Sunday, June 25 at 4.40 pm
Etihad Stadium

B: Jarryn Geary, Nathan Brown, Dylan Roberton
HB: Jack Newnes, Jake Carlisle, Sam Gilbert
C: Leigh Montagna, Koby Stevens, Jack Billings
HF: Jack Sinclair, Nick Riewoldt, Maverick Weller
F: Jade Gresham, Josh Bruce, Tim Membrey
R: Billy Longer, Seb Ross, Jack Steven
Interchange: Shane Savage, Luke Dunstan, Blake Acres, Jack Steele, Jack Lonie, Jimmy Webster, Paddy McCartin

IN: S. Savage, J. Steele, P. McCartin