ADELAIDE defender Fischer McAsey is expected to return to full training in six weeks after being sidelined by a stress fracture in his right leg.

The 20-year-old reported groin tightness and leg pain last week and scans revealed an early stress fracture in his femur.

It is a similar injury to one he suffered as a junior before being drafted with pick No.6 in 2019.

McAsey will spend the next 2-4 weeks doing non-weight bearing training before returning to running and then full training by the end of January.

He is expected to be available for the pre-season competition.

"Thankfully it has been detected early and Fischer is in a good position to allow it to heal and return to training as soon as possible," Adelaide high performance manager Darren Burgess said.

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"He has had a strong pre-season and at this stage we anticipate he will be in a position to play in the pre-season competition."

The 197cm McAsey managed 10 games in his debut season in 2020 but failed to play for the senior side this year.

He is seen as a vital part of the club's future, resisting the lure of returning to his home state of Victoria by signing a two-year contract extension with the Crows until the end of 2023.