Injury-plagued St Kilda forward Max King has suffered another brutal setback, hurting a hamstring in the VFL.

Having not played an AFL game since round 16, 2024, King had been pushing for a return to the seniors.

In his second VFL game in six days, the 25-year-old kicked two early goals against Carlton at Ikon Park and was pressing his case for a long-awaited senior recall.

But King's Saturday finished early, putting ice on his left hamstring.

Contracted until 2032, King has kicked 159 goals in 83 games since debuting in 2020.

But the 202cm tall forward has been plagued by knee issues, starting from his draft year in 2018 and forcing him to sit out the entire first season in the AFL.