ADELAIDE is expected to welcome back midfield duo Nathan van Berlo and Rob Shirley for Showdown XXVII at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Van Berlo and Shirley were both named in the Crows’ initial 25-man-squad to take on St Kilda, but were struck down with a bout of the flu.

Onballer Tyson Edwards also missed the clash with the Saints after straining his hamstring at training last week and is unlikely to be fit for this week’s match.

Dynamic youngster David Mackay (hamstring) will join Edwards on the sidelines, but Patrick Dangerfield is expected to play despite copping a heavy knock to the head late in the 57-point loss to St Kilda.

The Crows made a promising start against the Saints, but managed just three goals after quarter time, including a goalless third term.

Skipper Simon Goodwin said Adelaide had improved since the two sides last met in round two, despite losing by a greater margin this time around.

“We’ve gained a lot of belief from the way we’ve been able to play over a seven or eight-week period,” Goodwin said on Monday.

“We’re really developing as a side. We’re not putting any limitations on ourselves and we’ve always had high expectations, but we’ve still got some really hard work to do over the next six or seven weeks to get to the level we want to get to.”

Adelaide was out-tackled, outscored and outclassed after the first break, but Goodwin said the game had still been a ‘good experience’ for his side.

“In the first quarter we were right in the game, so I think it’s more [an issue of] duration,” Goodwin said.

“We know the level St Kilda can play at for a length of time and that’s the level we’ve got to get to. We showed in the first quarter that we’re more than up to it.”

The Crows will attempt to get back on the winners’ list against the unpredictable Power under lights on Sunday.

Port Adelaide dominated the stoppages when the two teams met in round six and cruised to a comfortable 26-point win.

Adelaide is hoping Brett Burton can have an impact in the game after a rusty comeback against St Kilda.

Burton finished with seven disposals, three marks and two tackles and will be looking to build on that performance against the Power.

Goodwin said the players had full faith in Burton’s ability to recapture top form.

“Brett’s come a long way and recovering from a knee reconstruction is not easy. The way he’s trained, come back and the way he played for the Eagles in his first game was outstanding,” Goodwin said.

“Brett, by his own admission, wasn’t happy with the way he played yesterday, but he’s a quality player. He’s just keen to get out and train again and make sure his preparation is right for this week.”

As of Monday, less than 2000 tickets remained on sale for Showdown XXVII.