Dangerfield is nursing a strained neck after an ugly incident in last weekend’s game against Melbourne where he was gang-tackled by three Demons players.
The courageous midfielder spent a night in hospital following the incident, but showed no signs of the injury at training on Friday.
Tippett (ankle) was also injured in the bruising loss to Melbourne, but coach Neil Craig said he expected both star youngsters to play against Carlton.
“At this stage they’re both going to play unless something happens between now and tomorrow,” Craig said after training on Friday.
“Patrick feels really well. He’s got no soreness and no stiffness. He’s run the last three days and trained this morning and did some competitive work out there. He’s been cleared medically to play and he’s confident to play.
“I’m really pleased that he’s playing considering only six or seven days ago the injury looked a lot worse than what we’ve got at the moment. Kurt looks like he’ll be okay as well, which is good news for us.”
Veteran Michael Doughty left the track early with his knee heavily strapped, but Craig said the defender was not considered in any doubt for the clash with the Blues.
Adelaide’s first pick (No.10) in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, Phil Davis will make his long-awaited AFL Debut against the Blues.
Davis has only played a couple of pre-season games for the Crows, but he has been in solid form with SANFL side North Adelaide in the opening three rounds.
Craig conceded his defence was vulnerable without All-Australian Nathan Bock, who will miss with a hamstring strain, but believed Davis would be able to stand a key-position forward.
“Phil can play both forward and back and his SANFL form has been at a high standard and consistently at a high standard. With Nathan Bock going out he’ll play a fair bit tomorrow in defence, but down the track he’ll become a very flexible key-type player for us,” Craig said.
“I think the NAB Cup game against Port Adelaide was a bit of an eye-opener for him...but he knows exactly what to expect tomorrow.”
Rookie Matthew Jaensch has been upgraded to the senior list and could also make his AFL debut against the Blues, if Dangerfield is a late withdrawal from the side.
Carlton has recalled skipper Chris Judd, who missed the first three games through suspension, for the game against the Crows.
Craig said one of Brent Reilly, Chris Schmidt or Doughty would get the job on the Brownlow medallist.
“Carlton’s midfield is exceptional…so that jobs ahead of us. We’ve got some options there for him [Judd]. Chris will figure pretty heavily in our plans because, but he’s always very difficult to keep out of the game.
