ADELAIDE forward Kurt Tippett is on track to play his first game of the season against Fremantle at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

Tippett sat out the Crows' opening-round win over Hawthorn after injuring his ankle against Carlton in the pre-season.

The 23-year-old was confined to a moon boot for three weeks, but moved freely during a light skills session on Monday.

Adelaide assistant coach Mark Bickley said Tippett's next test would be to complete the club's main training session on Tuesday.

"Kurt is certainly very much in the mix. Saturday was his first training session back. Today is a very light [training run], but he's moving pretty well," Bickley said.

"Until he gets through tomorrow when there's actually some instinctive movement and some opposition competing against you it's really hard to put a figure on it, but at worst he'd be [a] 50-50 [chance to play against Fremantle]."

The introduction of the AFL's new substitute rule has made it more difficult for clubs to ease underdone players back into football at the highest level.

Bickley floated the idea of Tippett returning via the SANFL, but suggested the club’s leading goalkicker in 2010 would be rushed straight back into the team provided he trained well during the week.

"All clubs are finding that with the limited interchange that it's a big risk to take a player in that's not 100 per cent and [doesn't have] the ability to perform strongly," he said.

"It's a slight concern and something we'll discuss at match committee, but Kurt's a really important player for us."

Third-year utility Shaun McKernan made the most of Tippett's absence in round one, racking up 15 possessions, 13 hit-outs and a goal against the Hawks.

Over the pre-season, the Crows indicated they were unlikely to play tall targets Tippett, Taylor Walker and McKernan in the same team.

However, Bickley said the club would consider including an extra big man this week to help combat star Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands.

"Shaun was very strong and provided us with a good option in the ruck [against Hawthorn] as well," Bickley said.

"We'll discuss how we structure up if we were to play those three guys [Tippett, Walker and McKernan]."

The Crows will be forced to make at least three changes to the team that beat Hawthorn, with Jason Porplyzia (shoulder), David Mackay (AC joint) and Rory Sloane (jaw/thumb) all facing long stints on the sidelines.

Michael Doughty (corked leg) and Brent Reilly (chest) were also injured in round one. Adelaide had the bye last weekend, and Bickley said neither Doughty nor Reilly would've been available if the club had played in round two.

"Whilst we looked at it and the start of the year and thought it was an inconvenient time to have a bye, on reflection it's been okay for us," he said.

"Fingers crossed both of those guys will come up."

Tippett, midfielder Brad Symes, forward Matthew Jaensch and wingman/half-back Brodie Martin are possible inclusions for the side to play Fremantle.

Ex-Carlton recruit Sam Jacobs (hamstring) trained well on Monday, but might be forced to wait another week before making his return from injury in the SANFL because Woodville-West Torrens has the bye.