Crows midfielder Matt Crouch has started a rehab program as he recovers from hip soreness which is expected to sideline him for 4-6 weeks.

Crouch missed the weekend’s win over Carlton due to the lingering injury but is confident of returning to full fitness in the second half of the season.

“Crouchy has been battling some ongoing soreness in both hips, it’s been with him for a couple of years now and he’s managed it really well,” High Performance Manager Darren Burgess said.

“Unfortunately in the last three or four weeks it’s got to a level where he can’t perform at his explosive best.

“So he will have a period of three to four weeks off legs in order for that to settle down, and then integrate back into training so he can perform at his maximum in the back half of the season.

“He’s very familiar with the pool at the moment and a lot of work in the gym, so he’s certainly keeping active, and he’s really positive about it, it’s just unfortunate it’s happened at this time of the year when he was playing some really good footy.”

Key defender Nick Murray is also back in the gym following successful knee surgery last week.

“Nick underwent a successful arthroscopy of his knee and they cleaned out what they needed to,” Burgess said.

“He’s on his feet, he’s doing plenty of gym work and will be running probably next week and then integrate back into training after a period of running from there.

Injury list as of Tuesday, May 6

Matt Crouch (hip) 4-6 weeks

Nick Murray (knee) 4-6 weeks

Toby Murray (ankle) 3-4 months