Saints back medics over Carlisle lung mishap

ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has defended the club’s management of Jake Carlisle after the key defender suffered a punctured lung during treatment for a rib injury.

Carlisle, who has been ruled out of today’s clash with Port Adelaide, is understood to have been receiving a pain-relieving injection when he suffered a minor puncture to his lung before Thursday’s main training session.

The 26-year-old hurt his ribs during last week’s upset win over Melbourne when he copped a knee to the back from Demons forward Jesse Hogan.

“He needed to get some assistance to try and deaden a bit of the pain and in that process, there was a really slight puncture to his lung,” Richardson said yesterday.

“It’s quite a common procedure, it happens a bit. I’ve been in a lot of footy clubs and that is the way that injury is dealt with and treated.

“We’ve got an outstanding group of medicos that do a really good job. There’s always a slight risk and obviously that’s what’s happened.”

Richardson received an update from the club doctor yesterday and said he was “reasonably confident” Carlisle would be available to face Carlton next week.

Carlisle is one of three play- ers the Saints have lost to injury this week in a brutal comedown from their victory over Melbourne.

Luckless forward Josh Bruce had been set to return from a back injury but broke his leg at training after colliding with a teammate in a marking contest.

Scans meanwhile revealed youngster Josh Battle suffered a fractured eye socket during the win over the Demons.