Two of Adelaide’s key defenders face fitness tests this week before being cleared to take on Geelong in Saturday’s season-opener.

Jordon Butts and Nick Murray are both recovering from ankle sprains.

Butts injured his left ankle in a contest in the pre-season game against Port Adelaide last weekend and although he played out the game, he sat out the Club’s main training sessions on Thursday and Saturday.

Newly-signed rookie Murray did train on Saturday but rolled his ankle and will be monitored throughout the week.

Doedee played a full game in the SANFL against Norwood last week and had a good hit-out at training on Saturday but will be assessed after training on Tuesday and Thursday before match committee finalises the Crows team to play the Cats at Adelaide Oval.

“Nick (Murray) rolled his ankle at training on Saturday morning so we’re only 72 hours post injury and he will be monitored throughout the week,” Head of Football Adam Kelly said.

“He will be touch and go to be available for this Saturday but he is doing everything he possibly can to get up for this game.

“Jordon (Butts) rolled his ankle in that pre-season game against Port Adelaide going back 10 days ago now, he’s recovering well and was back running at training on Saturday morning and is expected to play.

“Pleasingly Tom Doedee got through that game against Norwood, he’s recovered well from that and been involved in all of our main sessions post that game and will be available for selection this week.

“And Jake Kelly will be available for selection this week after recovering from some hamstring soreness which meant that he missed the game against Port Adelaide.”

Midfielder Matt Crouch got through the pre-season game against Port Adelaide and continues to be monitored for groin soreness related to off-season hip surgery, while David Mackay has recovered from concussion in Adelaide’s internal trial game and will be available for selection. Jake Kelly has also recovered from hamstring tightness and is expected to be available for the Cats game.

Second-year midfielder Ronin O’Connor has foot soreness and is being managed ahead of an anticipated return to play in two weeks along with Ben Davis (ankle), while Daniel Talia (knee) and Brayden Cook (shoulder) are still aiming for the early rounds of the season.

“Matt Crouch got through the game against Port Adelaide and we are continuing to monitor his groin soreness throughout the week but at this point in time we expect he will be available for selection this weekend,” Kelly said.

“Ronin O’Connor reported some foot soreness a few weeks back and that has progressed well, he’s back doing some training at the moment and we’d anticipate he will be available for selection in two weeks’ time.”

Injury list (as of Tuesday, March 16):

Tom Doedee (groin) test
Jordon Butts (ankle) test
Nick Murray (ankle) test
Matt Crouch (groin) test
Ben Davis (ankle) 2 weeks
Daniel Talia (knee) 2-3 weeks
Ronin O’Connor (foot) 2 weeks
Brayden Cook (shoulder) 5 weeks