Adelaide expect forward Tom Lynch and utility David Mackay to return to AFL ranks for Saturday night’s game against Melbourne.
But key onballer Matt Crouch (hip/abdominal injury) remains in doubt for the trip to Darwin to play the Demons.
Lynch (hamstring) and Mackay (illness) were late withdrawals from Adelaide’s loss to West Coast last Saturday.
Crouch, who has missed the past two games, will undergo a fitness test at training on Thursday.
“He has regained his running capabilities … it’s more the ballistic, dynamic movements that are the concerns,” Adelaide’s high performance manager Matt Hass said in a statement.
Whether experienced duo Bryce Gibbs and Josh Jenkins return to AFL action after being dropped for poor form remains unknown.
Gibbs was dropped for last week’s game – the second time he has been dumped this season – while Jenkins has been overlooked since being omitted after round four.
But winger Paul Seedsman is praising the spirit of the two stalwarts during their AFL absences.
“Their attitude and the way they have handled themselves around the club has been nothing but first-class,” Seedsman told reporter.
“Obviously they’re not playing where they want to be at the moment but I have got full confidence that both blokes will get back there.
“Whether that is this week or not, I’m not sure.”
First-choice ruckman Sam Jacobs, who has been sidelined since Round 2 because of a knee injury, was tipped to return this weekend but most likely in state league ranks.
– AAP
