Philip Broberg skated in full for first time Tuesday, inching closer to playing, perhaps as early as Saturday

The St. Louis Blues are inching closer to bringing yet another prominent player back to their lineup.

Center Robert Thomas returned from a fractured right ankle four games ago, now it's Philip Broberg's turn.

The defenseman skated for the first time in a full practice with the Blues (10-12-1) Tuesday ahead of their Wednesday game against the New Jersey Devils.

Broberg has been sidelined since Nov. 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs when he departed that game with a right knee injury. It occurred when Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner fell on Broberg's leg, sending the defenseman to the ice, an injury that looked ominous when it happened.

Blues coach Jim Montgomery didn't want to speculate when Broberg, who was off to a fantastic start in his Blues debut to the season with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 12 games and a plus-6 rating, would return.

It's highly unlikely Broberg could return against the Devils but Saturday at home against the Philadelphia Flyers can't be ruled out, and if not then, the next road trip, beginning Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets would be optimistic.

"He's not ready yet. He's getting there," Montgomery said Wednesday. "We started the steps and it was his first day with physical contact. We'll see how he responds tomorrow and then we keep building."

So far, Broberg has missed 11 games and the Blues are 4-6-1 without him.