ADELAIDE coach Neil Craig says defender Tony Armstrong is ready to return to the club full-time after training with North Adelaide for the last six weeks.

Armstrong was charged with drink-driving last October and barred from selection for the opening four games of the 2011 season.

The 21-year-old served the club-imposed suspension, but sustained a hip injury after only two games back in the local league and spent another month on the sidelines.

In the latter stages of his recovery, Armstrong was sent back to the Roosters to train, often only being required at West Lakes one day a week. 

The attacking half-back flanker worked his way back into the North Adelaide league team in round nine, and Craig said the fourth-year player could return to full training with the Crows as early as next week.

"It wasn't a punishment for Tony. Just a necessity to get him back on track," Craig said on Friday.

"What happens with a lot of those guys, who are breaking into the team, is that they train here, wonder whether they're going to play AFL footy then miss out on selection and go through that disappointment.

"By taking this form of management, [we basically said] don't even worry about AFL, Tony. Just go back and play in the league side at North and play good footy there.

"Now, he has got some continuity in his footy and we're looking at him coming back next week."

Armstrong, who was drafted by Adelaide with pick No.58 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, overcame a bout of homesickness and a broken arm to play nine games last season.

The former Assumption College student showed poise and flair across half-back, but has been overtaken in the race for that position by forward-turned-defender Matthew Jaensch and tough utility Jared Petrenko.

Armstrong is out of contract at the end of the year, and Craig admitted time was running out for the NSW-born recruit to prove himself at AFL level.

"I'm not so concerned about the [drink-driving] misdemeanor," he said.

"We all make errors, but Tony's been in the system now for a period of time and time runs out for all of us.

"That's a pressure that we all face and players in particular, who are coming out of contract. We'll see what Tony does [in the latter half of the season] and the decision [on his future] will be based on form."