Young St Kilda key forward Paddy McCartin is closing in on a return from his latest concussion setback and could play as early as next week, according to Saints Coach Alan Richardson.

The 21-year-old hasn’t played since he received a head knock while playing for Sandringham four weeks ago.

After enduring a frustrating 2016 where he sustained three separate concussions, as well as a broken collarbone in the penultimate round of the season, McCartin has experienced another interrupted year in 2017.

But after receiving positive news from a concussion test on Thursday and impressing on the track in recent weeks, Richardson says the 2014 No. 1 pick is ‘really close’ to getting back on the park.

“He was really close this week. He had a test yesterday and he’s heading the right way really quickly,” Richardson said at a press conference on Friday.

“He’s trained really well, his running has really improved; he’s been able to get a lot of work in, so it’s quite exciting where he’s at physically.

“We’re really hopeful that he’ll be back next week.”

St Kilda travelled to South Australia on Friday ahead of their important clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.

After back-to-back losses against Sydney and Essendon, the Saints are in danger of drifting away from finals contention if they lose to the Power.