Crows midfielder Matt Crouch will undergo surgery on his right groin to alleviate persistent pain which has prevented him from playing.

The 26-year-old All-Australian, who also had an off-season operation on his right hip, has not played since Adelaide’s pre-season game against Port Adelaide at Noarlunga in March.

The decision to operate comes after a period of conservative rehabilitation, as well as the latest in a series of consultations with a specialist and the Club’s medical team.

Crouch had been making good progress rebuilding his training loads and had joined in Adelaide’s main training session early last week.

However, his groin soreness once again flared and Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly said surgery to stabilise a tendon was now the best option.

Kelly added a timeframe on when Crouch can return to the field would be known post-surgery.

“Unfortunately, Matt’s groin injury has not responded as well as we had hoped,” he said.

“We had managed his training loads accordingly and he had progressed to joining main training with the group last week.

“But he has continued to present with persistent groin pain which has led to the decision to have surgery.

“Matt is an important player and one of our leaders so we look forward to him recovering and returning to play the quality football we know he is capable of.”

Fellow midfielder Luke Pedlar is expected to be available to play Norwood in the SANFL on Saturday after overcoming groin soreness and will be tested at training this week.

A decision on small forward Ned McHenry’s availability for selection will be made in line with a clinical assessment and providing he passes the AFL’s concussion protocol. McHenry missed Sunday’s loss to West Coast after he was concussed in the Round 8 loss to Port Adelaide.

Injury list as of Tuesday, May 18:

Luke Pedlar (groin) test
Ned McHenry (concussion) concussion protocol
Matt Crouch (groin) TBC
Daniel Talia (foot) 3-4 weeks
Lachlan Gollant (finger) 4-5 weeks
Lachlan Murphy (ankle) 8-9 weeks
Tom Lynch (toe) 8-9 weeks
Mitch Hinge (shoulder) season
Wayne Milera (knee) season