Crows forward Tom Lynch has avoided surgery on a dislocated shoulder and is aiming to be back within six weeks.
Lynch underwent scans after sustaining the injury during the second quarter of Adelaide’s trial match against GWS, leaving the ground in the hands of trainers after a ground contest on the wing.
The Club’s leading goal kicker from last year, Lynch was playing in his first match since recovering from foot surgery undertaken after Adelaide’s 2013 campaign.
Versatile utility Andy Otten and gun midfielder Richard Douglas are also set for stints on the sidelines.
Otten looks likely to miss a month of action after jarring his knee in a marking contest in the trial against the Giants. The 24-year-old was diagnosed with a ligament strain and, whilst the injury will not require surgery, Otten will be managed carefully by Crows medical staff given his luckless history with knee injuries.
Douglas will also miss 4-6 weeks after sustaining a groin injury in the Crows’ win at Blacktown. The 2010 Crows Club Champion stayed overnight in Sydney's Westmead Hospital following Adelaide's trial win over the Giants, with coach Brenton Sanderson stating the timeline on Douglas' recovery remains unclear.
“[Douglas] could be four to six weeks, we're not 100 per cent certain on that one though," Sanderson said.
"Certainly within the next couple of weeks he'll be up and running around."
Sanderson said the Club's lengthy injury list provided a great challenge to the Crows' younger players to show their wares in the early rounds of the new season.
“[The injuries] are not ideal, but we’ve got plenty of other guys who have been performing well who will now get their opportunity.’’
Matt Crouch (illness) and Sam Shaw (hamstring tightness) will be available for selection for Adelaide's Round One blockbuster against Geelong next Thursday night at Simonds Stadium.
Are you on board for 2014? Click here to browse the Club's 2014 membership options and join the 19th Man today.