DEFENDER Graham Johncock will return to Adelaide's line-up when it hosts St Kilda at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Johncock missed the round one win over Collingwood to return to Port Lincoln to mourn the sudden death of his mother.

However, coach Neil Craig confirmed that the 26-year-old appeared at West Lakes on Monday and expressed his readiness to play.

"I had a good, healthy conversation with Graham on Tuesday and he assures me he’s ready to perform," Craig said on Thursday. "I’ll back him in on that."

Johncock's inclusion is likely to be one of two changes to the side that upset the Pies by four points at the MCG last week.

Midfielder Scott Thompson, who missed with hamstring soreness, will also play his first game of the season provided he gets through Thursday’s light training run.

One of inexperienced quintet Taylor Walker, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko, Andy Otten and Myke Cook, all impressive against Collingwood, could make way for Thompson or Johncock.

Jon Griffin, Brad Symes, Jarrhan Jacky and tagger Rob Shirley are also putting pressure on the selectors to make more unforced changes.

Craig said the forecast of possible showers could cost a big man his spot and conceded there would be some disappointed players when the team was named.

"Both Scott and Graham had been in good form before they went out of the side and they’ve got good track records and histories with trust in that area," Craig said.

"They’re both really senior, talented players, so they’ll both come back in and it’s then a question of who goes out. The team stood up under pressure last week and the kids were part of that.

"I know there was a lot of excitement about that result, as there should have been, but we’ve got to be really clear on that. We have more information than the general public has about performances, what guys were asked to do on the day and positioning.

"There’s going to be some disappointment and, hopefully, that stays for the rest of the year with the competition we’ve got internally."