ONBALLER Nathan van Berlo and utility Scott Stevens have been included in Adelaide's 25-man squad to take on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, while Ricky Henderson is likely to make his debut after being elevated to the senior list.

Van Berlo has overcome a hamstring strain to replace injured midfielder David Mackay (groin), but questions remain over whether Stevens will return to the AFL this week after missing three games with concussion.

Stevens completed the club's main training session on Tuesday night but missed Thursday's short hit-out to be with his wife, who has gone into labour with their first child.

Coach Neil Craig said he was hopeful Stevens would be available to play this weekend, either for the Crows or in the SANFL.

"He (Stevens) has an obligation and has my total support to be there, so we'll keep a check on how all that is going," Craig said.

"Hopefully we can overcome that if we decide we want Scott to play in the AFL team. The fact that it is tomorrow night gives us some flexibility."

The Crows will trim their squad to 22 on Thursday afternoon, but Craig hinted that Henderson would come into the side in place of young forward Taylor Walker, who has been dropped.

Henderson made a couple of promising pre-season appearances and Craig said he would add much-needed spark to the misfiring forward line.

"Henderson has been elevated because we're keen to have a look at him. His form in the SANFL has been pretty good," Craig said.

"We wanted to go for some more speed at this particular stadium. It's indoors and the Bulldogs are a fast side.

"With the possibility of Henderson coming in … he's got some real speed and he plays up forward. We just thought we'd go for a slightly different mix up there and it's going to be important for us."

Henderson has been promoted in place of ruckman Brad Moran (knee), who has been moved to the long-term injury list.

Mackay, however, was one of few Crows to find consistent form in the opening month and Craig said he was confident he would be fit to play in next week's Showdown against Port Adelaide.

"David's a big loss for us because that has been one of his real strengths and attributes, that run and carry, but we haven't got him," Craig said.

"We don't want to make that a long-term injury. It happened in the last five minutes of the game last week and with the shorter week this week, it wasn't worth the risk."