Adelaide could be bolstered by the returns of Rory Laird and Luke Brown for Saturday night’s clash with Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

Laird, 22, withdrew from the Crows team to play Collingwood after experiencing hip soreness.

General Manager of High Performance Brett Burton said the in-form small defender was likely to play against the Cats.

“Rory pulled of the team late, on Friday with a bit of hip soreness,” Burton said.

“It was nothing too serious and really precautionary. We expect him to train this week and be available to play.”

Brown, 23, has missed the past two games because of a groin injury.

Burton said the reliable backman was “training well”.

“We look forward to Browny training the rest of the week and he’ll be a ‘test’ for this weekend.”

Troy Menzel, who is recovering from his second concussion of the season, is also rated a ‘test’ to play in the SANFL on Saturday.

The skilful forward will continue to be assessed in accordance with concussion protocols.

Defender Sam Shaw, who is also on the comeback from concussion, is completing a solid training block after being cleared to resume contact drills.

Adelaide has taken an ultra-conservative approach with Shaw, who experienced prolonged symptoms following a knock sustained in the opening rounds of the SANFL season. The left-footer is back in full training and hopes to return to the playing field in a couple of weeks.

Ruck/forward Luke Lowden will miss another week as he recovers from a hamstring strain, while experienced defenders Nathan van Berlo (foot) and Andy Otten (thumb) are 2 – 3 weeks away from a return.

Forward Riley Knight is continuing his recovery from surgery to relieve a nerve irritation in his ankle.

The Crows reported no new injuries to listed players in the AFL or SANFL over the weekend.

Injury list as of Monday, July 18
Rory Laird (hip) – Test
Troy Menzel (concussion) – Test
Luke Brown (groin) – Test
Luke Lowden (hamstring) – 1 week
Sam Shaw (concussion) – 1 - 2 weeks
Nathan van Berlo (foot) – 2 - 3 weeks
Andy Otten (thumb) – 2 - 3 weeks
Riley Knight (ankle) – Assess