St Kilda are set to regain three key players from injury for Friday night's key AFL clash with Carlton at the MCG.

Vice-captain Lenny Hayes, ruckman Michael Gardiner and small forward Adam Schneider are all expected to be available after overcoming hamstring injuries.

Their presence would be a major boost in such a massive game, where the winner will take eighth spot and move four points clear of ninth.

St Kilda football operations general manager Matthew Drain said the Saints were confident Hayes, Gardiner and Schneider could all return.

"It really comes down to the selectors as to how they see it, which is going to be pretty tight given we've won the last two and it was a pretty good performance up on the Gold Coast (to beat North Melbourne)," he said.

Midfielder Xavier Clarke is also a chance to return from a hamstring injury, but is rated a 50-50 prospect.

But rover Steven Baker is likely to play in the VFL again as he returns from a knee problem.

Despite coming off successive wins, Drain said the Saints were focused on improving on recent performances.

"This is a critical game, everyone knows that - it's obvious - but we can't be worrying about where we're going to finish or what this game means in terms of finals," he said.

"We've just got to play a far better style than what we've had, over four quarters, and that's our plan this week."

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