DANIEL Talia's not glossing over the loss of Richard Douglas to injury, but he's confident Adelaide has the midfield depth to cover the star's absence against Richmond on Friday night. 

Douglas was rushed to hospital on Monday night and had surgery to remove his appendix.

The club hasn't announced an expected return date but with just five games remaining there's every chance he could join fellow midfielder Brad Crouch in pulling the pin on 2015.

Talia said it was a blow to lose the 2010 club champion just as the Crows are struggling to keep their finals hopes alive, but pointed to the likes of former skipper Nathan van Berlo as possible replacements.

Van Berlo was best afield in the SANFL last weekend, gathering 27 possessions.

"Obviously it's going to be a big loss losing Douglas, he's been a great of our club for a long time, he can break the lines and really take the game on," Talia said on Wednesday. 

"But we’ve got guys who are in really good form, (Sam) Kerridge, 'Curly' (Cam Ellis-Yolmen), all those guys playing really well in the SANFL, they'll get an opportunity, 'VB' (van Berlo) as well." 

Talia will likely spend considerable time on Jack Riewoldt on Friday night, although he said Ty Vickery was also a likely opponent. 

The pair have been in great touch of late, helping the Tigers win five of their past six games. 

Although Riewoldt has had a few lean weeks in terms of goals, Talia said the Tiger's work higher up the field had been terrific. 

Richmond has managed to find an even spread of goalkickers of late and Talia expected he could play on several opponents throughout Friday's game. 

"Jack Riewoldt's been in really good form playing up the ground, Tyrone Vickery's been kicking a lot of goals and then they've got a couple of others as well.

"Those two guys will probably be who I match up on first, but just depending on how the game's going I could end up on anyone really."