ADELAIDE coach Brenton Sanderson says he'd like Kurt TIppett's drawn-out contract negotiations to end soon, but he denies they're a distraction as the Crows prepare for a premiership tilt.

Tippett's contract status has crept under the radar in recent months, with most attention focused on the futures of Collingwood forward Travis Cloke and Port Adelaide on-baller Travis Boak.

But the star Crow is also out of contract at the end of the season, and the Brisbane Lions have publicly announced their interest in the big-bodied forward.

Sanderson said that while he understood Tippett's impending contract announcement was newsworthy, it wouldn't affect the Crows as they enter the final stages of the home-and-away season.

"I know the spotlight at the moment is on (Travis) Boak and also (Travis) Cloke …. (but) we're quietly confident that Kurt's going to re-sign for us," Sanderson said.

"I know that the longer it drags out, the more it becomes a story. Internally it's no distraction for us, but it does create some interest outside of the footy club.

"We'd like for it do be done soon, but how soon it's done I'm not sure."

While Sanderson admitted that Tippett's future would continue to attract attention until it was resolved, the coach said it wasn't his place to demand answers from the 25-year-old.

With the start of the finals just seven games away, Sanderson said he had more important things to worry about than contract negotiations.

"At some point in the second half of the season Kurt's going to make a decision about his future," he said.

"All I can do from my point of view is provide an environment of success and encourage Kurt that he's part of our short and long-term plans.

"If he decides that he wants to stay, then that's great. If he doesn't, then we'll have to make adjustments.

"We're seriously getting down towards the business end of the season and we've got to play good footy, and contract negotiations are left to people outside of the coaching group."

Tippett has been in great form this season, kicking 30 goals from his 14 games.

He missed out on Adelaide's mammoth 119-point win over the Giants last week with concussion, but Sanderson declared him ready to go against West Coast on Saturday.

Michael Doughty will also return after his wife gave birth to their first child last week, while Jared Petrenko will also come into calculations.

The ruck duel between in-form Crow Sam Jacobs and West Coast's Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox shapes as a battle of potential All Australians, and offers a match-up almost worth the price of admission alone.

Jacobs leads the competition in hit-outs in 2012 and most have been to advantage, as the Crows lead in clearances.

"It's a nice game within a game isn't it?" Sanderson said.

"I think Sam deserves to be, certainly in All Australian calculations.

"Scott Camporeale and Matty Clarke have done a fantastic job of preparing him every week, he's really well educated on the opposition and he's a real pro."

Harry Thring covers Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.