Midfielder Kane Johnson will captain Richmond in Saturday's AFL game against St Kilda, putting him among the possibilities to succeed Wayne Campbell.

Despite just 36 games at the club since leaving Adelaide after the 2002 season, coach Danny Frawley confirmed Johnson would lead the side in the absence of Campbell, who will be out for a month with a shoulder injury.

Vice-captain Darren Gaspar is out with a knee injury.

Frawley said Johnson, who is fifth on the ladder for the AFL's most prolific ball-getters this season, deserved his chance to lead the side.

"He's been a beauty since he's been over here," Frawley said.

"He's been a Richmond man all of his life, bar six years when he went over to Adelaide, so he's really excited about it.

"Wayne told him this morning. It's no added responsibility. He's just got to go out there and perform by his actions. He's been one player who's been able to perform very consistently."

Campbell, 31, is out of contract at the end of next season.

Meanwhile, St Kilda has put the onus on its silky midfield to ease the strain on its injury-ravaged backline in Saturday's AFL game against Richmond at Telstra Dome.

So bereft of height are the Saints at the moment, there are just three players in the team standing 190cm or more - ruck Trent Knobel, full-forward Nick Riewoldt and third-gamer Sam Fisher.

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