THE continued improvement of St Kilda’s young players has served as inspiration for Sam Gilbert throughout his lengthy lay off with a foot injury.

Gilbert, who returns for his first AFL game this week since August last year says he has been impressed by the batch of youthful Saints who have driven the team to three wins so far this year.

“It has been difficult to watch but the improvement from all of our young players has been exciting and I am enjoying watching them play,” Gilbert said on Friday morning.

“They are so willing to learn and the effort they put in and the extra practice – it’s a great vibe to be around.”

Injuries have meant the athletic Gilbert has played in just 15 of St Kilda’s last 54 games and he says that while there are some natural nerves ahead of his comeback, he has full confidence in his body to withstand football at the top level once again.

“There are always a few nerves with the first game back. It has been a while but hopefully I have done the work and I’m really looking forward to getting back there,” he said.

“I am 100 per cent confident with the foot and totally rapt with it. (Surgeon) Kim Slater did a fantastic job.”

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Lonely is the life of the rehabbing footballer but Gilbert said there were not too many dark times in his recovery thanks largely to the tight St Kilda network.

“I had a lot of support around me from the coaches and the players. It was OK, it was one of those things where you hope for the best and when everything does start to feel right you get confidence from that too,” he said.

As for the Saints opponent this week, Gilbert says he is expecting a strong showing from a Demons team that gave Collingwood more than a few scares on Queen’s Birthday.

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“They are just like us, an improving side and I think it is going to be a really good clash,” he said.

“We are very similar teams at the moment with our development so it is going to be one of those games where we are both on the improve and you can see both clubs moving forward strongly.”