Richmond could regain six players from injury for clash against St Kilda

Trent Cotchin will likely lead the charge against St Kilda but Jack Higgins could be dropped as the Tigers try to find a way to fit in up to six first-choice stars.

Richmond could recall as many as six first-choice players against St Kilda as it attempts to make a late charge for premiership glory.

The Tigers have been savaged by injury but come off the bye believing they can play their best football in a nine-week surge.

Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards and David Astbury will all try to prove they have overcome hamstring issues at the club’s Tuesday main training session.

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Ivan Soldo will be ready after missing the loss to Adelaide through illness, and Kane Lambert (achilles) and Jayden Short (elbow) are also likely to be available.

Richmond football boss Neil Balme said the club wouldn’t rule out making as many as six changes if all players proved their fitness.

But to have so many players available after months of injuries is a good sign even if some end up several days short of playing against the Saints.

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin is set to return. Picture: Michael Klein

Jack Higgins is under pressure to hold his spot. Picture: Michael Klein.

Jack Riewoldt hopes to play in two weeks but will not be rushed given the nature of his PCL injury.

“We were pretty confident both Cotch and Edwards would only miss one game, but they both have to train,” Balme said.

“Astbury should be fine. We are reasonably confident with those guys, but we won’t know until they train. Soldo was sick and will be available and Short and Lambert have both been out for a reasonable amount of time.

“We will pick our best side. We will throw them all up on the board and it depends how they train.”

Mabior Chol showed some exciting glimpses coming in for Soldo in the loss to Adelaide but the Tigers were still smashed in the ruck by Reilly O’Brien.

Cotchin’s likely availability is a major boost given there were worries about whether he had suffered a third hamstring tear.

He missed the Adelaide clash after pulling up tight but will have had a 23-day break since the Round 12 game against Geelong.

Jack Higgins will come under pressure to hold his spot after another fumbly display against the Crows. Patrick Naish has put in two strong games after debuting against Geelong.