Recent St Kilda recruit Paddy Dow has suffered his first injury setback as a Saint, with the former Blue reportedly bruising bones within his knee.
Dow, a former top-10 draftee, made his way to Moorabbin during the 2022 trade period, departing Princes Park after six seasons in an effort to see more senior time.
As first reported by 7 News' Mitch Cleary, Dow went down with a knee injury during the Saints' pre-season preperations, however, managed to avoid tearing his ACL.
The 24-year-old is now expected to spend the next month on the sidelines - a timeframe that will see Dow miss St Kilda's opening pre-season clash against Essendon on Friday, February 23.
Should the midfielder prove his fitness, Dow may still take part in the Saints' second summer hitout, scheduled for Sunday, March 3 against North Melbourne.
Both fixtures will take place at St Kilda's heartland home ground of RSEA Park.
Originally drafted with the third pick of the 2017 AFL Draft, Dow featured on just 73 occasions for Carlton at senior level after never nailing down a starting role in the Blues' engine room.
The Bendigo Pioneers product was brought across town by Stephen Silvagni in the off-season, with the former Carlton recruiter keen to grant Dow both his first and second opportunities at the level.
St Kilda is set to commence its 2024 season when it travels to Kardinia Park to face Geelong on Saturday, March 16.