Premiership defender Nathan Broad has been included in Richmond’s line-up for Friday night’s match against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium after making a rapid recovery from a fractured cheekbone.

Broad sustained the injury in the Tigers’ Round 16 victory over Adelaide, but missed just one match – last Saturday night’s loss to Greater Western Sydney.

Get all the game day information for Friday night's match against St Kilda

His return is even more timely for Richmond given the fact that rebounding defender Bachar Houli has been sidelined with groin soreness.

The Tigers have made two other changes for tomorrow night’s game, with Kamdyn McIntosh and Connor Menadue earning recalls after spending time at VFL level.

See St Kilda's team for Friday night's Round 18 clash at Etihad Stadium 

Apart from Houli, the two other outs are Shai Bolton and Corey Ellis, who have both been omitted.

Richmond’s four emergencies for the Round 18 clash with the Saints are Jacob Townsend, Liam Baker, Ryan Garthwaite and Tyson Stengle.