EXPLOSIVE Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern has been given a licence to terrorise Carlton's defenders in Saturday's clash at the MCG.

After building his match fitness in the SANFL over the past three weeks, the out-of-contract McGovern returns for his first senior game since a hamstring tendon injury in round three.

McGovern played an important role for the Crows last season with 32 goals in 23 games, and is attracting interest from rival clubs eager to snatch him away from West Lakes.

"We want him launching at marks, we want him chasing down guys, we want him tackling, his pressure, his speed," Crows assistant coach David Teague told reporters on Friday.

"If he's doing those things, then we know he's going to be playing his role for the team.

"Big ground, MCG, I think he'll be really excited and enjoy it out there."

McGovern's inclusion to the potent Crows attack offsets the absence of key linkman Tom Lynch, who is sidelined with viral meningitis, while speedster Charlie Cameron is likely to miss just one week with a wrist injury.

Experienced wingman David Mackay has been recalled after being dropped for the second time this season.

Mackay has been often maligned by Crows supporters during his 173-game career with the club.

But a strong performance in the SANFL has seen the 28-year-old get another chance.

"The great thing about David is he went back and we challenged him – we wanted to see his run," Teague said.

"At the start of the year, he was running really well, and he went back and he did that."

While Mackay received another opportunity, there was no such call-up for veteran midfielder Scott Thompson.

The 34-year-old hasn't been able to add to his 307 career games this year.

Teague said the vast expanses of the MCG didn't factor into the decision to choose the pace of Mackay and Riley Knight over tough inside midfielder Thompson.

"He's really close," Teague said of Thompson.

"I've got no doubt, he keeps that form up, he'll probably get an opportunity shortly.

"We want a balanced team and this week it didn't quite work out for Scott, but in the future it may.

"It's not so much the ground, it's the way we want to play and the way we want to structure up."

Thompson, former Collingwood winger Paul Seedsman and back-up ruckman Reilly O'Brien are the Crows' three emergencies.