EXPERIENCED St Kilda midfielder Dan Hannebery is inching closer to making his long-awaited return from injury, with the Saints' off-season recruit set to play VFL for Sandringham next weekend.

Hannebery has been battling calf and hamstring problems all season, but has put together a four-week training block over the past month that has him in line to play his first match since he left the Swans at the end of last season.

St Kilda assistant coach Brendon Lade said Hannebery had been progressing well of late and that the 28-year-old would be considered for Sandringham's round nine match against Coburg at Piranha Park if he could make it through training this week.

FULL INJURY LIST Who's ruled out and who's a test?

"If all goes well next week and he gets through training, he will play for (Sandringham) next week, which is exciting for us," Lade said during Channel Seven's VFL coverage on Sunday.

"He has put a four-week block of training together and (has been) running and doing some match simulation at training 

"Hopefully for him he can get through the week and we can see him in a Sandringham jumper next week."

Hannebery earned All Australian selection on three occasions during his 208-game and 10-year stint at the Swans, before he was traded to the Saints. 

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