All Australian midfielder Matt Crouch is set to miss three weeks after suffering a hamstring strain in Adelaide’s win over Richmond last Thursday night.
Crouch, 22, sustained the injury early in the second quarter and didn’t take any further part in the game.
Crows GM High Performance Matt Hass said scans had revealed a minor strain.
“It’s a pretty straightforward hammy, low-grade,” Hass said.
“We expect him to be out for about the 21-day period.”
In better news, defender Daniel Talia has been cleared to play against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Talia hyperextended his knee against the Tigers, but was able to finish the game.
Hass said the injury had settled well.
“He (Talia) has already run twice since the game, so we expect him to be available this weekend,” he said.
The Club is also hopeful Rory Sloane and David Mackay will face the Saints, with a nine-day break between games working to the pair’s advantage.
Sloane strained his foot in the second quarter, but returned to be a vital contributor in the 36-point win.
Hass said the early signs were positive for the Crows vice-captain.
“The scans have showed that there’s no major structural damage,” he said.
“He’s been a little bit sore the first couple of days but it’s improving as we go.
“He’ll train tomorrow (Wednesday) in some part and should he get through that well, he’ll be available for the weekend.”
Mackay was concussed in an incident that saw Richmond forward Josh Caddy charged with striking.
“David has gone into concussion protocol,” Hass said.
“He’s passed the initial test and he’s commenced running, so all things look really positive.
“He just needs to tick a few more boxes as far as the medical side of things go, but we’re hopeful (he’ll be available) for St Kilda.”
Forward Tom Lynch will be aiming to prove his fitness at Adelaide’s main training session.
Lynch has missed the opening two weeks of the season with a side strain and illness.
“Tommy Lynch continues to improve and is building each session,” Hass said.
“He got a really good session in over the weekend and will train on Wednesday with the group.”
Pleasingly, onballers Curtly Hampton, Riley Knight and Myles Poholke are all available for selection, along with veteran Richard Douglas who has served a one-game suspension.
Hampton, who strained his adductor in Round One, sat out the clash with Richmond while Knight is yet to play a game this year following ankle surgery.
Poholke didn’t play in Adelaide’s SANFL season-opener because of a sore hip. Utility Andy Otten (Achilles) was also left out of the clash with Port Magpies and is set to miss another week.
Unfortunately, defender Kyle Cheney injured his hamstring against the Magpies and will miss at least a fortnight.
Wingman Sam Gibson is also likely to spend another 2 – 3 weeks on the sidelines, with his hamstring strain healing slower than initially expected.
Midfielder Brad Crouch and draftee Andrew McPherson continue their respective recoveries from groin injuries.
Injury list as of Tuesday, April 3
Tom Lynch (illness) – Test
Rory Sloane (foot strain) – Test
David Mackay (concussion) – Test
Andy Otten (Achilles) – 1 week
Alex Keath (ankle) – 1-2 weeks
Kyle Cheney (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Sam Gibson (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Matt Crouch (hamstring) – 3 weeks
Brad Crouch (groin soreness) – 6 weeks
Andrew McPherson (groin soreness) – 6 weeks
Brodie Smith (knee) – Indefinite
