St Kilda senior coach Ross Lyon has confirmed that Mason Wood is expected to feature in Round 4's clash against Gold Coast, less than a week after original concerns the Saint could be facing a stint on the sidelines.
Wood spent the final minutes of St Kilda's Round 3 win over Essendon on the bench nursing a shoulder injury, with early reports suggesting the 29-year-old had done damage to his shoulder.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Lyon confirmed that Wood was good to go.
"100 per cent (he will play)," Lyon said.
"Look, when it happened, the impact, you're not sure (of the severity). But in the cold light of day, he is fine. That's why it's really important you don't go early on injuries.
"He'll train and play. It turned out to be lower grade, it just didn't look good. he has been really important for us."
Wood is ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฎ good ๐
For the second time this year, Mason Wood is your Sainter of the Round. pic.twitter.com/OYyquPlBH9
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) April 4, 2023
Wood has had a stellar start to the 2023 season for the undefeated Saints, earning ten coaches votes in Round 3's win, with 27 disposals, six inside 50s, two clearances and a goal.
The former Roo was delisted from Arden Street at the conclusion of the 2020 season, but has seen immense improvement in his game since arriving at the Saints, having played 31 games in red, black and white since his club debut.
"It is hard to measure levels, but I know when he was at North he was very talented but had injury interruptions. He had played good football here; he played some ripper games last year," Lyon said on Wood.
The Saints currently possess the biggest injury list in the competition, with Jimmy Webster the latest addition after suffering a cheekbone injury, now expected to be sidelined for five or six weeks.