A "bruised and battered" Adelaide outfit is likely to take a near-full fitness side into Saturday's Showdown against Port Adelaide, with defender Mitch Hinge the big watch ahead of the weekend's rivalry bout.
Hinge has been required to get through training this week to be cleared to play as he deals with a hip injury sustained early into Sunday's win over Gold Coast.
The Crows flanker is "confident" he'll get up for the Showdown, with coach Matthew Nicks knowing he'll have a "fresher" Hinge available if he is given the tick to play.
"'Hingey's has got to train tonight still," Nicks said on Wednesday.
"He's pretty confident, though, chatting to him this morning. He's pulled up quite well. That'll be a bonus if he does, because he played 15 minutes or thereabouts.
"So, he's slightly fresher. Mitch Hinge will be a good thing for us. We had a couple of other guys who are bruised and battered, but we're confident most will get themselves up."
Veteran midfielder Matt Crouch made his return from injury in the SANFL over the weekend but will likely require more time at the state league level before getting another look in Nicks' side.
Adelaide's in-form reserves outfit is creating "pressure from below" at selection, with youngster Sid Draper, veteran Brodie Smith and utility Charlie Edwards among the past weekend's standouts.
Young forward Brayden Cook is another who could earn a recall, having exited concussion protocols after suffering a head knock in Round 18.
"That's something we'll discuss post the session and see how guys go through the training session," Nicks said.
"[Cook] deserved the opportunity he had a week or so ago, he's recovered really well, feels fantastic and is knocking on my door.
"That's the position we're in. What we're benefiting from at the moment is that guys are ready to go. We believe they're AFL-ready, so it's nice to have that pressure from below.
"We'll continue to look at the squad we have. We've got some guys still pushing for selection at the moment.
"We've got some guys playing their best footy at SANFL level that, if the timing is right for the team and we feel they'll make us stronger, they'll get their opportunity. That'll depend on Mitch, for example.
"If Mitch isn't quite right, we won't take a risk with him. We want to take in a team that's 100 per cent, or close to it and ready to go into a Showdown."
Both sides will name their 23-player squads at 5:50pm local time on Thursday, with final teams to be named prior to the 7:40pm bounce on Saturday.
