ADELAIDE'S coaching staff have shot down speculation of a rift with out-of-favour forward Josh Jenkins.

Jenkins was dropped from the Crows side that defeated St Kilda last Saturday night - the second time he has been banished to the SANFL this season.

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Rumours abound that Jenkins clashed heatedly with coach Don Pyke after his latest omission but assistant coach Ben Hart says that's not the case.

"He didn't have a run-in," Hart told reporters on Monday.

"He had a conversation about not playing on the weekend."

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Jenkins has been touted as a potential trade target of rival clubs.

"He is contracted for two more years and I'm assuming that he's going to be around, so hopefully he will be," Hart said.

Jenkins is unlikely to be recalled to Adelaide's side for Sunday's away game against West Coast - he was unable to press his selection claims as the Crows' state league side had a bye last weekend.

"Wherever he plays ... he will go and do the things we're asking him to and do them to the best of his ability," Hart said.

"But I don't think we have seen the last of Josh.

"He has been fine and we saw that during the year as well when he went back and (was) out of the side ... we just need that consistent level from him."

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The Crows expect to recall defender Alex Keath, who has missed the past two games because of an ankle injury, for a encounter with the reigning premiers.

"He should be right to go and that was always the plan, to give him a couple of weeks off to get that ankle right," Hart said.

"They (West Coast) ... are as good a forward line going around and having Alex in and playing well would be great."

The Crows hold eighth spot, a win clear of ninth-placed Port Adelaide, before a trip to Perth that Hart rated arguably the biggest challenge in the competition.

"We have to approach it with a real vigour in the way we want to play," he said.

"We have to be aware of how they play as well, they do control the footy and they like to keep the ball out of an opposition's hand.

"So we have to win enough of it ... (but) first and foremost we have to be up for the contest."