St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says the Saints hope to have co-skipper Luke Ball back in action for next week's AFL clash with Essendon.

Ball will miss his second straight match against the Western Bulldogs tomorrow night due to concussion after the Saints received medical advice that there was a significant risk if the midfielder received another front-on knock to the head.

While Ball passed the club's first tests to check his recovery from concussion, it was feedback from his parents who suggested he "wasn't quite right" which highlighted some lingering after-effects.

"It's frustrating for Luke, the club and myself but there's the human side and you don't won't to risk it," Lyon said.

"In a week's time we are hoping he'll be fit to play."

Ball was heavily concussed in a collision with Melbourne player Matthew Whelan during the season opener. In good news for the Saints, however, they do get forward Nick Riewoldt back from a hamstring injury for the match against the Bulldogs.

AAP