Captain Rory Sloane is pushing to return to the Crows’ side for Sunday’s clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

Sloane missed Friday night’s Showdown thriller after suffering a minor adductor injury in the Round Two loss to Collingwood.

Adelaide High Performance Manager Darren Burgess said Sloane’s recovery was progressing well and he was in line to face the Bombers providing he gets through training during the week.

“Rory was touch and go for the game (against Port Adelaide last Friday), we decided to be conservative and not play him, but we expect him to train fully on Wednesday and if he gets through that then he will play on the weekend,” Burgess said.

Small forward Lachlan Murphy will also face a test this week after a heavy collision in the final moments of Friday night’s Showdown win over the Power.

Playing his first AFL game since neck surgery in December, Murphy reported some neck soreness following the collision which resulted in him needing to leave the field.

“Lachy experienced some symptoms relating to the clash he got late in the game,” Burgess said.

“We will monitor him during the week, we expect him to train and be available, but we’ll be super-cautious with Murph.”

Defender Andrew McPherson is set to return from a hamstring injury he suffered in the opening round loss to Fremantle.

“Andrew will be OK, again he was touch and go for last weekend but we anticipate he will train all week and be available for selection against Essendon,” Burgess said.

Midfielder and reigning Club Champion Rory Laird made a successful return from a broken hand on Friday night, finishing with a game-high 31 disposals.

Injury List as of April 4

Rory Sloane (adductor) test
Lachlan Murphy (neck) test
Paul Seedsman (concussion) ongoing