ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke expects Mitch McGovern to remain at the club next season, knocking on the head rumours the forward would seek a trade at the end of the year.

The 23-year-old will return from a shoulder injury through the SANFL after being overlooked for Saturday night's clash with Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.

McGovern missed 10 weeks with an ankle injury before coming straight back into the side for the round 18 encounter with Brisbane when skipper Taylor Walker was sidelined.

McGovern struggled to have an impact, having just nine disposals against the Lions and again the following week against Melbourne without hitting the scoreboard.

The 190cm high-flyer is contracted until the end of 2020, but there was speculation he could request a trade to entertain lucrative offers from rival clubs.

"I except him to be here next season, I haven't heard anything further on that," Pyke told reporters at Adelaide Airport on Friday.

"The reality is for him, it's about getting some games under his belt, getting his match conditioning and form back to a point where he can contribute the way we know he can.

"He's in our best 22, it's just a matter of him getting back to that condition and form to be able to play."

Veteran Richard Douglas (ankle) and defender Kyle Cheney (suspension) return in place of injured duo Daniel Talia (shin/calf) and Riley Knight (knee).

Talia's absence, and that of fellow key defender Kyle Hartigan (knee), leaves Alex Keath, NAB AFL Rising star contender Tom Doedee and Cheney to take on Giants star Jeremy Cameron and key target Harry Himmelberg.

"They've got some dangerous forwards, so we've got Doedee, we've got Keath, Kyle Cheney is back in the team as well as Brodie Smith," Pyke said.

"We think we've got the capacity to cover the forwards, it really depends on how they structure up.

"Daniel out is a big out, but we've got Kyle Cheney back in, who was in good form before he was suspended."

The Crows (10-9) must win all three remaining games to remain a chance of featuring in the finals.

"If we can win this week and the next two, we can't do any more than that," Pyke said.

"We'll control what we can control, which is trying to win games of footy, and the rest will take care of itself."

Defender Jake Kelly is the travelling emergency.