Adelaide could be bolstered by the return of three key players for Sunday’s Showdown.
Forward Eddie Betts, midfielder Brad Crouch and defender Jake Lever are all hoping to be fit for the twilight clash with Port Adelaide.
Betts, 30, missed the draw with Collingwood following surgery to remove his appendix.
Crows General Manager of High Performance said the brilliant forward had returned to light duties.
“Eddie will see the surgeon this week and we’ll be guided by him on his return to play,” Hass said.
“Eddie will be pushing to do everything he can to play Port Adelaide.”
Crouch, who fractured his cheekbone against Geelong, joined Betts on the sidelines last weekend.
“Brad Crouch will also see the surgeon this week, needing clearance to play,” Hass said.
“He’ll train with the main group and be a ‘test’ for this weekend.”
Lever, 21, has missed two games with a minor hamstring injury.
Hass said the competitive backman was making good progress.
“Jake’s done really well. He’s ticked every box that he’s needed to,” he said.
“He’ll train with the main group on Thursday and, should he get through that, he’ll be available this weekend.”
Fellow defender Kyle Hartigan won’t be available for selection this week after experiencing hamstring tightness in the first quarter of Adelaide’s SANFL clash with Glenelg in Bordertown on Sunday.
“We took a no-risk approach with Kyle,” Hass said.
“Early indications are that it’s quite minor.
“He won’t play this weekend and he’ll be an assessment for the following weeks.”
Draftee Elliott Himmelberg has been hobbled by a foot injury.
Hass was optimistic the promising key-position player would return before the end of the season.
“Elliott Himmelberg has missed the last two weeks with some foot soreness,” he said.
“It’s relatively minor, but as a first-year (player) we’ll take no risks with him.
“We’re very hopeful that he’ll play again this season.”
The Crows expect ruckman Reilly O’Brien to return in a similar timeframe.
O’Brien has been battling back soreness, but his condition is improving.
“Reilly O’Brien has missed a few weeks with an ongoing back issue,” Hass said.
“That’s settled now and he’s been reintroduced to some football training.
“He needs to recondition a little bit, but we expect him to be back in the next 2 – 3 weeks.”
Onballer Curtly Hampton is on the long-term injury list as he rehabilitates an ankle injury.
Hampton has increased his training loads with a view to playing again this season.
The SANFL Crows have a bye this weekend.
Injury list as of Tuesday, August 1
Eddie Betts (appendix) – Test
Brad Crouch (cheekbone) – Test
Jake Lever (hamstring) – Test
Kyle Hartigan (hamstring) – TBC
Reilly O’Brien (back) – 2 – 3 weeks
Curtly Hampton (ankle) – 2 – 3 weeks
Elliott Himmelberg (foot) – 2 – 3 weeks
Cam Ellis-Yolmen (knee) – Season
