St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has given his strongest indication yet that veterans Fraser Gehrig and Robert Harvey will be encouraged to play on in 2008.

Lyon said he would not be put off by the dynamic duo not being able to make it through an arduous season when the decision is made at season's end.

"In Sydney I was involved in two retirements where I saw club champions and captains in consecutive years in 2005 and 2006 - Stuart Maxfield and Paul Williams - both retire mid-year, about round 11," Lyon told the press on Tuesday at Moorabbin.

"It didn't detract from them at all or from the club and they were in premiership and grand final years. That's an alternative, too. Do they push on and see how it goes?"

"We've got plenty of time and the players won't be pressured to make a decision in the next two weeks. We've got months."

Lyon admitted he did not have a 'gut feel' on which way either Harvey or Gehrig would go.

"At this stage your timeframes are so short from game to game and the whole focus is on the team and not the individual," Lyon explained.

"I think the way we will go with those two it will be more of a post-season discussion when we've got plenty of time to talk and evaluate and contract and then finalise lists."

If it was strictly a performance-based decision Lyon's mind would be made up by now, however.

"Their form warrants automatic selection. Fraser's 52 goals (this year), he kicked 62 goals last year ... as for Robert Harvey, he'd be in the top six in the best-and-fairest."

"If he didn't have a birth certificate you wouldn't even question it. His form has been magnificent."

Harvey's stellar playing career will be on hold for a week thanks to a 'very minor' quad strain.

Lyon is confident he will regain Harvey and fellow elder statesman Max Hudghton for his team's round 22 clash with Richmond.

The Saints tackle the Eagles in the round 21 opener at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

After overcoming Fremantle in last weekend's 'elimination final', the Saints' season again goes on the line.

"Well clearly it's really important we win," the understated Lyon said.

"It's a fantastic challenge. West Coast, along with Sydney, is the benchmark team of the past two years and big game performers. We want to measure ourselves as to where we're at."

Lyon said he expects champion midfielders Chris Judd and Ben Cousins to line up for the Eagles.