Injury woes continue for Norwood midfielder Callum Bartlett

NORWOOD could be without midfielder Callum Bartlett for up to three weeks as it attempts to break a three-game losing streak.

FORMER Brisbane Lions midfielder Calum Bartlett’s injury problems have stretched into this season and Norwood could be without his services for up to three weeks because of a shoulder problem.

Bartlett knocked his AC joint in the frustrating 21-point loss to North Adelaide on Anzac Day and has been ruled out of tonight’s confrontation with Glenelg at the Bay.

Recruited to The Parade this season, Bartlett had four injury-plagued seasons with the Lions before being delisted at the end of last season. He has already had two knee reconstructions.

Luke Thomas will also miss the Tigers contest after hurting his back at work.

Thomas missed last season because of back issues and the Redlegs are loathe to take risks with him.

“If the game was Saturday or Sunday he might have been able to play,’’ Norwood football manager Mark Ross said.

The Redlegs have lost their past three games - they dropped just three last year when successfully defending the SANFL premiership - and are taking a backs-to-the wall approach against the Tigers.

“Training has been really positive,’’ Ross said.

“We took a lot of positives out of last week even though we lost the game to North Adelaide.

“The boys spoke about the game as a group and they have a fierce desire to turn things around.

“Glenelg will have got a lot of confidence out of the win over Adelaide last week - they were strong at the contest.’’

The return of Liam Davis from a slight knee problem will aid the Redlegs forward line while Ed Smart, Peter Persinos and Steven Baldasso have been promoted to a 23-man squad.

The Tigers, coming off a 37-point victory over the Crows for their first win of the season, were forced to alter their side after losing Warrick McGinty to a knee injury.

McGinty has had scans on the knee and the club is hopeful he will be sidelined for only one to two weeks.

Tigers head of football development Matthew Lokan said the mood at the club had been upbeat since snapping a three-game losing streak to start the season.

“It was a big night for the club - a crowd of 10,000 and our first win for the season,’’ Lokan said.

“The mood has been upbeat but we are realistic where we are at.

“We are 1-3 (win-loss record) and face an important game this week against last year’s premiers.’’

The options to come into the line-up are Shaun Tapp, Jake Pitt and Alex Neal-Bullen.