Experienced defender Daniel Talia is set to have foot surgery and will be sidelined for 8-10 weeks.

The All-Australian key defender had made a full recovery from post-season knee surgery and was preparing to return to play but developed foot pain in the past two weeks.

Scans showed inflammation of a tendon in his left foot which has not responded to a conservative rehabilitation plan and has prevented him from running.

Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly said Talia was sent for a specialist review after reporting the ongoing soreness at which it was determined that surgery this week was the best course of action.

“Further investigation into Daniel’s foot pain has shown it is the result of a bone spur which is irritating a tendon,” Kelly said.

“It’s been determined that surgery is going to be required for his foot injury.

“Post surgery we will develop a return to play plan but at this point it’s too early to make a call on when that will occur.

“However this course of action will give Daniel the best chance of playing a meaningful role in the second half of our 2021 season.”

In other injury news, first-round draftee Luke Pedlar is in line to play his first game for the Club this weekend after overcoming an abdominal strain.

The No.11 draft pick from Glenelg last year was managed throughout his first AFL pre-season while also dealing with groin soreness.

The strongly-built midfielder is expected to be available for selection for Adelaide’s Round 2 SANFL clash with West Adelaide on Saturday.

“Pleasingly Luke Pedlar is looking like he will return to play this weekend after an abdominal strain, Luke was exciting in the trials we saw earlier in the year so he’s a highly talented, inside midfielder and we’re really excited to have him back on the park,” Kelly said.

Fellow South Australian draftee Brayden Cook is now one week away from his Crows debut after making good progress from his shoulder rehabilitation following surgery last year.

Midfielder Matt Crouch is expected to resume running this week as he also builds his training loads in preparation for a return to play.

“Matt is expected to return to some on-ground running this week which is pleasing, at this point in time it’s too early to make a call on exactly when he will return to play, but pleasingly he will return to running this week,” Kelly said.

David Mackay missed the Round Three win over Gold Coast with hamstring tightness and will have a fitness test ahead of selection to play North Melbourne this Sunday.

“David experienced some hamstring tightness out of the game against Sydney which kept him out of the line-up last week and we’d expect him to return to training and this week, and will be subject to a test, but at this point we expect him to be available.

Lachlan Gollant (finger) and Mitch Hinge (shoulder) both underwent successful surgery last week and are recovering before they start their rehabilitation.

Gollant is expected to complete an 8-10 week strength and conditioning block in the gym as he eyes a return to football in the second half of the season while Hinge will prepare for the 2022 season.

Injury list as of Tuesday, April 6 

Matt Crouch (groin) TBC
David Mackay (hamstring) test
Brayden Cook (shoulder) 1 week
Daniel Talia (foot) 8-10 weeks
Lachlan Gollant (finger) 8-12 weeks
Mitch Hinge (shoulder) season
Wayne Milera (knee) season