"A little bit of water to flow under the bridge, but (the updated diagnosis on King) buoyed the group so we'll push for the four-to-five week mark," Lyon said on Thursday.

King missed the first nine games of the season after hurting his shoulder during the pre-season.

The right-footer then returned in dominant fashion with 13 goals in his first four games back, but King's output dramatically diminished since.

St Kilda football boss David Misson said they would not take any risks with their prized goal-kicker.

"It won't be a reconstruction. It will be a Latarjet procedure, which is pretty common for people who have already had a traditional reconstruction and that's failed," Misson said.

"That's what has happened with Max. That will happen whenever our season finishes."

A potential return in a month would have King in line to face Richmond in a crucial round-22 match.

After a barnstorming start to the season in Lyon's second stint as coach, St Kilda find themselves clinging onto a spot in the top-eight.

The Saints (9-7) will face Gold Coast on Saturday with interim coach Steve King to lead the Suns for the first time after Stuart Dew's sacking this week.

St Kilda will head north without dynamic small forward Jack Higgins for a second straight week due to a persistent knee complaint.

Speedster Bradley Hill (knee) and defender Josh Battle (concussion) also missed the defeat to the Demons at Marvel Stadium, but the pair are likely to take on the Suns.

"He (Higgins) is feeling really good, but the treatment he has had has delayed him," Lyon said.

"He had an injection to relieve a bit of the pain. Certainly Hill and Battle (will play)."

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