Adelaide Senior Coach Matthew Nicks has confirmed forward Josh Rachele will return for Friday night’s semi-final against Hawthorn.

The livewire forward has not played since sustaining a posterior capsular tear in his knee against Melbourne in Round 17.

Nicks told the media on Thursday that Rachele had completed his rehab and was fit to play.

“We won't be rolling the dice, the question is he ready to go, and yeah he’s ready to go,” Nicks said

“10 weeks of hard work and he should get the reward for that, we do because he’s ready and he trained really well.

“He’s feeling confident and that’s the main thing.”

Nicks said Rachele's energy would give the team a boost, but also tempered expectations as he embarked on his first competitive game since Round 17.

"Josh's weapon is his energy, and what that does to help the guys around him," Nicks said. 

"That energy will be important and his execution, it's going to be a tough ask with the speed of the game and things, being out of footy for that amount of time it's hard to hit the ground running straight away. 

"But he's done everything possible that he's ready to come in and help the team."

The Crows will name their full team for the semi-final clash on Thursday at 5.50pm (ACST).

Adelaide faces Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Friday at 7.10pm.