INJURED St Kilda forward Stephen Milne's return trip from Perth finally ended last night when he arrived by train at Geelong station.

Milne was prevented from flying back with the team after fracturing his cheekbone against Fremantle. He left Perth by car with club doctor Denis Campbell on Monday and boarded a train in Adelaide early yesterday morning.

Milne was forced to make the long trip home by road and rail because of the risk of air getting into his veins at high altitude.

Milne will have surgery and the club hopes he'll miss only Sunday's game with Adelaide.

Midfielder Lenny Hayes said he had spoken to Milne as he began his journey home. "He's iced up the eye a fair bit and his face and he's feeling pretty good. The swelling has gone down a bit and he was just looking forward to getting home."