St Kilda defender Sam Fisher says he would love to have Max Hudghton back in the side, but has benefitted as a footballer during his absence.

Hudghton has played just one game this season, in round two, and has since been out with a quadriceps injury.

He also hurt his calf in his comeback match for Casey Scorpions reserves last weekend.

He was been named in the Saints' squad for Sunday's match against Geelong at Telstra Dome, but Friday's training session will be the crucial test for him and several other borderline players.

Fisher, who has filled the full-back position in Hudghton's absence, said it would greatly ease the pressure on an undermanned Saints defence to have the gutsy veteran back.

"I'd love to have Maxy back, I love having Maxy, I've loved playing with him ever since I've been with the club," Fisher said.

"So if he gets through tomorrow that would be great.

"I'd quite enjoy having Maxy back to help me out back there and take on a bit bigger-bodied forward."

But Fisher said the injury crisis in the Saints' defence had delivered the bonus of giving him the experience of playing on some of the AFL's biggest stars.

"Definitely, I've probably had a bit more responsibility on me, especially this year with Matt Maguire and Max Hudghton out," he said.

"I've had to take bigger and probably the best forward every week.

"So I've gained quite a lot out of playing on those sorts of blokes and gained a lot of experience from doing it.

"I'm getting used to it and I've quite enjoyed playing the role."

Other Saints returning to the squad from injury are Jason Gram, Leigh Montagna, Raph and Xavier Clarke and Andrew Thompson.

Fisher said the Saints' defence would need to be at their best against a Cats' team that is by far the highest-scoring in the competition this season.

"They have got a bit up there, they've got a very talented forward line, along with the rest of their team," he said.

"They move the ball pretty quickly and get it in to their good players.

"They've got some good crumbing forwards, with (Gary) Ablett and those sort of blokes and (Paul) Chapman I think might be coming back this week.

"So we're definitely going to have to be on our game back there and we've just got to try to shut them down and make them play our game of football and try to beat them."

© 2009 AAP
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