St Kilda midfielder David Armitage will miss at least the next four weeks of football due to a groin injury.
Armitage missed rounds two and three after injuring his groin in the Saints' round one loss to Melbourne.
He then aggravated the injury upon his return against Collingwood in round four, subsequently missing Sunday's loss to Geelong.
He has undergone surgery and will be sidelined for at least a month, missing crucial games against Hawthorn, GWS and Sydney.
“Unfortunately for Dave Armitage he has had to undergo an adductor release surgery to correct his injury,” St Kilda general manager of football performance, Jamie Cox, said.
“Dave won’t run for a couple of weeks and is expected to miss at least a month.”
Meanwhile, draftee Josh Battle will be sidelined for two weeks due to bone bruising in his knee.