FARREN Ray will play his first senior game since round 23 last year after being selected on the wing this evening.

The 29-year-old, who has played 197 games for the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, returns following hamstring surgery after three games in the VFL.

"It’s really good to have someone with Faz’s leadership and experience back in the team, particularly against the Hawks," Alan Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.

"He will come in and play a combination of wing and back. He will add some real depth to our midfield."

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Match day info: Round 10

Ray is a former winner of the Saints Silk-Miller award - back in 2013. He collected 25 disposals and had seven inside 50s in Sandringham's win last weekend. 

Daniel McKenzie (concussion), Luke Dunstan (rested) and Maverick Weller (suspended) are the outs, while Seb Ross, Hugh Goddard, Darren Minchington, Tom Curren and Shane Savage have been named on the extended seven-man bench.

"We all saw that Luke Dunstan played a really strong game and clashed heads when he and Blake Acres ran into each other," Richardson said.

"This, on top of some general soreness, means he will be rested this week and be right to go against Melbourne in round 11.

"We were hoping to be able to hang on until the bye, but the kid needs a break."

PREVIEW: St Kilda vs Hawthorn

The 19-year-old has averaged 17.7 disposals and 4.6 tackles per outing across the first nine games of the season. 

Weller was offered two weeks for striking Brisbane's Rohan Bewick, but with an early guilty plea escaped with a one-week sanction.

"It’s disappointing that Mav is out of the team," Richardson said.

"He’s an aggressive player and one of our leaders. He is quite challenging and leads with action and is incredibly supportive of his teammates. He didn’t get it right on this occasion and went too far."

St Kilda will not finalise its 22 and three emergencies until 5pm on Friday, stay tuned to SAINTS.com.au.

The Saints will also host an open training session on Saturday at Moorabbin. Details HERE.

FEATURE: The essence of the St Kilda spirit

B:       Shenton          Dempster        Geary

HB:     Newnes          Delaney           Webster

C:        Acres             Armitage          Ray

HF:      Montagna      Riewoldt          Billings

F:         Hickey            Bruce             Lonie

FOLL:  Longer            Schneider      Steven

I/C FROM: Savage, Ross, Roberton, Curren, Goddard, Sinclair, Minchington

IN: Savage, Ross, Ray, Curren, Goddard, Minchington

OUT: Dunstan (rested), Weller (suspended), McKenzie (concussion)

MILESTONE: Jack Steven (100 games)