ADELAIDE'S injury crisis has deepened, with forward Mitch McGovern to miss two months with a high ankle sprain.

However, ruckman Sam Jacobs is expected to play in Friday night's game against the Western Bulldogs after having back spasms in last Saturday's Showdown, while skipper Taylor Walker faces a fitness test from a glute irritation.

Jacobs is on track to play his first game as a father after wife Izzy gave birth to a baby girl on Monday morning.

In better news, forward Riley Knight (hamstring), defenders Alex Keath (ankle) and Kyle Hartigan (hamstring), and midfielders Sam Gibson (hamstring) and Curtly Hampton (groin) could be available for selection this week.

McGovern's injury occurred in the final minute of the Crows' five-point Showdown loss to Port Adelaide when he collided with teammate Richard Douglas.

That contest led to Steven Motlop kicking the dramatic match-winning goal for the Power with 21 seconds on the clock.

McGovern suffered a knock to the head before his ankle injury was discovered later on.

"First of all, we were treating him after the match from a head knock, which he presented with," Crows general manager of high performance Matt Hass told afc.com.au

"Unfortunately, later in the weekend, he reported some ankle soreness which we scanned on Monday and revealed the high ankle sprain.

"He's since seen a specialist and we've decided to take conservative measures at the moment.

"We'll see how he presents over time and rehab him accordingly, so he's looking to spend a period of time out.

"Luckily no surgery is required at this point so that's pleasing for Mitch, which means he'll be back slightly earlier than the surgical option."

It will be the second year in a row that the unlucky McGovern has missed a substantial amount of football.

A hamstring tendon injury forced him to miss last year's Grand Final loss to Richmond.

McGovern's absence is a huge blow for the Crows.

The high-flying 23-year-old has booted 13 goals in eight games this season, including a career-high five goals in the side's round seven win against Carlton.