Crows forward Mitch McGovern to miss two months with ankle injury from Showdown loss

ADELAIDE has been dealt another cruel injury blow with high-flying forward Mitch McGovern to miss two months with a sprained ankle, but in better news for the Crows, new dad Sam Jacobs is set to take on the Bulldogs.

Mitch McGovern flies against the Power. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz Showdown 44's dramatic finish

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ADELAIDE has been dealt another cruel injury blow with high-flying forward Mitch McGovern to miss two months with a sprained ankle.

Rubbing salt into the wounds of the Showdown 44 loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday night, McGovern suffered the injury in a high-speed collision with teammate Richard Douglas in the final minute of the game.

Mitch McGovern takes a strong mark and goals to put the Crows in front during the last quarter of Showdown 44. Picture: Sarah Reed

McGovern after kicking the goal. Picture: Sarah Reed

He had scans on Monday night and the club says he won’t require surgery but will be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

McGovern returned to top form in the past two weeks, kicking a career-high five goals in the Round 7 win over Carlton and two against the Power — including a clutch set shot to put his team in front in the final minutes.

“First of all, we were treating him after the match from a head knock, which he presented with,” Adelaide’s high performance boss Matt Hass said.

“Unfortunately later in the weekend he reported some ankle soreness which we scanned on Monday and revealed the high ankle sprain.

“He’s since seen a specialist and we’ve decided to take conservative measures at the moment. We’ll see how he presents over time and rehab him accordingly, so he’s looking to spend a period of time out.

Mitch McGovern with medicos after his collision with Richard Douglas in the dying seconds. Picture Sarah Reed

“Luckily no surgery (is) required at this point so that’s pleasing for Mitch, which means he’ll be back slightly earlier than the surgical option.”

In better news for the Crows, ruckman Sam Jacobs will play against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night after overcoming back spasms in the Showdown. He is also available to play after wife Izzy gave birth to a baby girl on Monday.

The Crows described captain Taylor Walker’s recovery from glute irritation as “positive” after he was forced from the field in the Showdown but played out the game.

“Tex has improved pretty quickly out of the game,” Hass said.

“He had some back and glute irritation, which was referring some pain down into his legs, so he came off for a little bit of treatment that improved his symptoms largely and he was able to play out the game.”

A huge congratulations to @samjacobs24 and wife Izzy on the arrival of a beautiful baby girl ❤️ https://t.co/LvSbjemgly #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/FoF005YMeg

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) May 15, 2018

Adelaide can expect a welcome boost of personnel to play the Dogs with Riley Knight (soreness), Alex Keath (ankle), Sam Gibson (hamstring), Kyle Hartigan (hamstring) and Curtly Hampton (groin) all available for selection providing they get through training this week.

Rory Sloane (foot) and Brad Crouch (groin) have been ruled out indefinitely with no estimated return from their injuries.

“Brad’s progressing slowly. We’ve got him on a strength and conditioning program now just to build up that strength and tolerance around his hip and pelvis,” Hass said.

“At this point, there’s absolutely no surgery required, it’s just a slow and steady build-up for Brad to make sure he ticks a few important boxes before he really starts to build up his training load and we expect to see him later on in the year.”

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