St Kilda's expanding casualty ward has grown further just weeks out from Round 1 with wingman Dan McKenzie set to miss the start of the season with a calf injury.
The Saints are already bracing to be without Max King (shoulder), Jack Billings (leg) and Zak Jones (Achilles) for their season opener against Fremantle, while Seb Ross (calf) and Marcus Windhager (hand) are both under injury clouds.
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Ross Lyon's tall forward reinforcements for King have also taken a hit, with Jack Hayes and Matt Allison both facing extended spells on the sidelines with foot injuries.
With recent setbacks for Billings, Jones, Ross and Windhager, the injury toll now looks to be trending through Lyon's midfield ensemble with McKenzie the latest name to join the Saints' injury list.
Sources close to Zero Hanger have revealed that McKenzie will miss the opening rounds of the season with a calf complaint that has kept the 26-year-old out of St Kilda's pre-season action.
McKenzie was a notable absence for last week's matchup with Melbourne before remaining out of Lyon's lineup for their second and final practice match before the season proper.
It is understood McKenzie's malady will keep the hard-nosed midfielder away from playing duties for close to a month as he recovers from the calf issue.
A key cog on the periphery of St Kilda's engine room, McKenzie was a first-string wing selection last year - his eighth at Moorabbin.
With St Kilda's wings clipped, Lyon will again be needing to move the magnets as Round 1 nears.
Defender Ben Paton, youngster Ryan Byrnes and forward threat Mason Wood are likely to be trialled through the wing in what will be a new look on the outside of St Kilda's central planning.
McKenzie, Billings, Ross and rookie campaigner Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera were the household wings options for the Saints last year, with veteran Brad Hill moved into defence.
Hill, who was a late out for Friday's pre-season match against Essendon due to personal reasons, is expected to return to a midfield role in 2023, with Wanganeen-Milera slotting into the void at half-back.
Ross is in a race against the clock to overcome a calf issue of his own, while King, Hayes, Billings, Jones and Allison have all been ruled out of Round 1.
St Kilda has been contacted for comment on McKenzie's likely return date.
The Saints will host Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, March 19 to commence their 150th year in the game.