St Kilda will be without one of its most talented and damaging players on Saturday after Jack Steven was ruled out with a thigh injury.

The Saints, already struggling on the field having lost ten matches in a row, will sorely miss their best and fairest winner.

Steven missed the first three rounds with a foot injury.

"Jack has experienced some leg soreness in recent weeks which our medical team feels is best treated through rest and rehabilitation," Head of Football Chris Pelchen said.

St Kilda anticipates he could be out for up to four weeks.

"While the injury provides him with some frustration to an already interrupted season, we are confident that he will return to the AFL team before the end of 2014."

If things go to plan, the club hopes he’ll back by Round 20 when it takes on the Bulldogs.

It’s another big blow for the Saints with Tom Lee requiring shoulder surgery and Beau Maister out for the rest of the year with a dislocated AC joint. Nathan Wright (concussion), Arryn Sippos (shoulder), Jarryn Geary (elbow) and Sam Gilbert (foot) are also unavailable as list depth issues begin to mount.

There is one positive however with Lenny Hayes set to return for the match against North in Hobart if he’s able to overcome a lingering groin complaint. Listed as a ‘test’, the veteran midfielder has averaged 25 disposals in 13 games so far this season.