Hayes eyes off NAB Cup

ST KILDA midfielder Lenny Hayes has shrugged off reports that he has been set back with a foot injury.

A recent newspaper report said Hayes had broken down with a stress fracture in his foot and was in doubt for round one of the home and away season, but the All-Australian midfielder said he was happy with his pre-season.

“I’ve been running since Christmas and I haven’t had any injury setbacks," Hayes said on the club's community camp in Dromana. "Someone said that (I’d broken down) the other day but I’ve been running around so I’m fine.

“I had some off-season surgery on the elbow but I’ve participated in pretty much everything up to this stage.”

Hayes said he was unsure what his workload would be over the course of the NAB Cup but said while he expected to be rested for some games, he would make an appearance before the season proper.

“We probably have to sit down and work that out," he said.

"For the last four or five years I haven’t played all the pre-season games so I am getting a little bit older. It just depends on what they’ve got for me but I’d hope to play two or three games.

Coach Ross Lyon said the Saints would approach their first NAB Cup game against Collingwood at close to full strength.

“Lenny is still coming off his elbow, (Steven) Baker had a little bit of a hiccup with a hip flexor but he will be pushing, (Jason) Gram had a bit of a hip but they are in full training next week," Lyon said.

"It’s a NAB Cup but we’ll be up and about, it should be a good test for us.”