CROWS star Trent Hentschel’s long awaited AFL return has been delayed by at least another three weeks with the forward suffering an ankle injury while playing in the SANFL on Saturday.

Hentschel, who has not played since wrecking his knee against Port Adelaide in round 21, 2006, was on the fringe of selection last week, but was named as an emergency after coach Neil Craig decided the 25-year-old could use another week in the SANFL to gain match fitness.

Hentschel will remain on crutches for the week and is expected to miss three games.

All-Australian captain Andrew McLeod will also miss three to four weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee on Monday night.

McLeod, who is just four games-shy of the 300 milestone, is expected to resume running in two weeks.

In better news, ruckman Ivan Maric has been cleared of structural damage to his knee after landing awkwardly in the third quarter at the Gabba last week.

The Crows resume training on Friday morning and Maric is still in contention for next Friday night’s clash with Geelong.