St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert will be out of action in the AFL for at least a month longer than expected as he recovers from a foot injury.

The Saints announced on Tuesday that scans showed the injury was healing slowly.

As recently as last week, St Kilda were hopeful he would be back in four weeks.

But now they predict it will take nine to 10 weeks before Gilbert is back in action.

“Obviously, we are disappointed that Sam’s foot injury hasn’t repaired to the extent we had anticipated,” said Saints football director Chris Pelchen.

“We will reassess his recovery in coming weeks before being able to determine a more exact date for his return.”

Gilbert suffered the injury during the round-three loss to West Coast.

St Kilda first-year player Eli Templeton could miss the rest of the season after breaking his arm in the Anzac Day loss to Brisbane.

Templeton had surgery on Monday and the Saints said he will be sidelined for three to four months.

“We are confident the outstanding application that Eli has already shown to his football will see him return to play either later this year or early in 2015,” Pelchen said.