Hawthorn’s Chance Bateman has come under an injury cloud on the lead up to Saturday nights preliminary final again St Kilda after he rolled his ankle at training on Tuesday.

Bateman left the training track to have his ankle strapped but did not return to the session.

Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell said he expected Bateman to play against the Saints.

“I think he’ll will be okay. He rolled his ankle, came off and had it re-strapped, and there is no point going back out there and re-aggravating it,” Mitchell said.

In more positive news for the Hawks, defender Trent Croad was taken off the injury list but will still need to undergo a fitness test if he is to line up against the Saints this weekend.