ADELAIDE forward Tom Lynch is out indefinitely with a tendon-related calf injury.

Lynch has missed the past four games with a calf strain sustained in the warm-up before the round 12 clash with Greater Western Sydney.

He was expected to return for Saturday night's encounter with Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, but had a setback in his rehab.

"Tom, unfortunately, is not going to be available this week," Crows coach Don Pyke told reporters on Tuesday.

"He had the calf strain, which settled really quickly, then they started re-loading that up and the tendon's caused some more issues.

"As much he's been able to train, he's still not comfortable at 100 per cent.

"We'll get back to you in terms of estimated timelines, but he won't be available this week."

Losing Lynch for an extended period is another blow for the Crows in the wake of their Showdown smacking at the hands of Port Adelaide last weekend.

The Crows conceded nine goals to one in a lop-sided second half in the 57-point flogging, but Pyke flagged there wouldn't be major changes to the side.

"We're careful we don't jump at shadows," Pyke said.

"We've had a bad half of footy, and it's easy to go, 'let's start removing everyone from the line-up'.

"There's always a challenge – do you start axing people around the place, versus having a bit of composure around selection.

"We'll be measured in terms of how we look at selection and select the best team to beat Gold Coast."

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That means there's no room in the side for veterans Bryce Gibbs and Sam Jacobs, who will remain in the SANFL.

"Bryce is continuing to work away in the SANFL and I think he'll probably stay there again this week," Pyke said.

"He's been in and out (of the senior side) a bit, so we're mindful he gets a block of solid footy under his belt before we drop him back in.

"(Jacobs) is going along well in the SANFL, but Reilly (O'Brien) has had some strong footy for us and he'll get another chance this week."

Pyke conceded veteran small forward Eddie Betts – who has gone goal-less in the past two weeks – was down on his best, but he was confident the 32-year-old would bounce back.

"Eddie is looking for some better form," Pyke said.

"We know what he's capable of, we've seen bits of that this year and he's capable of being one of the most damaging small forwards in the competition, and I believe he's still capable of doing that.

"We had 12 inside 50s in the second half, so it's pretty hard to be impactful on the scoreboard when you're not getting in there much, but he needs to lift."