Crows defender Josh Worrell is completing a mini pre-season as he recovers from a hamstring injury and eyes a return to play in three weeks.

Worrell suffered the hamstring setback in the practice game against Fremantle and has been steadily progressing since.

“Josh is doing really well, he’s in the middle of a mini pre-season to get his fitness up to form and his hamstring nice and strong,” Adelaide High Performance Manager Darren Burgess said.

“We’re anticipating he’ll be joining in team training next week and he’ll train for a couple of weeks so we think about three weeks before he’s back playing.

“He’s been a star, Josh, really positive and he’s seeing the finish line now so he’s doing really well.”

Midfielder Matt Crouch is also set to resume running this week after suffering a fractured fibula a week before Round One.

“Crouchy will be running by the end of this week and we’re hoping he’ll be available next week, if not the week after,” Burgess said.

“He’s doing everything that we’re asking of him and the big test will be when he runs on ground later this week.”

Draftee Billy Dowling has started running on the Alter-G treadmill and will hit the turf this week as he recovers from a foot injury.

“He’ll be training with us next week so we anticipate he’ll be back ready to play by AFL Round 4,” Burgess said.

“It’s progressing really well, as I’ve said before it’s a bit of an usual injury, but he’s on target.”

Injury list as of Tuesday, March 21:

Josh Worrell (hamstring) 3 weeks
Billy Dowling (foot) 3 weeks
Matt Crouch (leg) 2 weeks