The next 72 hours will determine if Michael Gardiner's 2007 is a write-off or whether the former West Coast ruckman can salvage something from his first season at Moorabbin.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon revealed on Tuesday that Gardiner has suffered a setback with the stress-related foot complaint that has kept him watching from the sidelines since his transfer from the Eagles in October last year.

Gardiner, who is on a one-year contract with the Saints, was understood to be close to returning to action through the VFL but now faces the prospect of season-ending surgery to correct the unusual condition not in his right foot which has caused problems over several years, but his 'good' left foot.

"All the weight goes through the second metatarsal (bone) rather than the first and inflames his foot," Lyon said.

"It leaves him behind the eight ball. I think we have to assess if it is, and we'll find out in the next 72 hours, a legitimate setback, the option is for an operation to get him set for next year.

"If that's the case, then we'll do that.

"The operation, if he had it, would be to relieve where the weight goes through and we assume from that he would be able to play AFL football."

Lyon stressed that the club was prepared to stand by Gardiner despite his short-term deal and colourful history at West Coast.

"It is a one-year deal but he'll definitely be here next year. Let's put that in black and white," Lyon said.

"He's been fantastic since he's been here and it's frustrating for him and the group, but he's an important part of our future and we'll do everything we can to get him right."

While Gardiner is at the crossroads, fellow Saints Aaron Hamill and Matt Maguire will return to action with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL this weekend after long injury layoffs.

Hamill has not played a senior match in 2007 because of chronic knee soreness while Maguire (foot) will be making his first appearance since the Saints' Round 1 victory over Melbourne.