ADELAIDE star Erin Phillips faces a race against the clock to be fit for the team's must-win clash against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.

Phillips, the reigning NAB AFL Women's best-and-fairest, has missed the first two rounds of the season with a strained quad. 

"Erin will increase her training loads as the week progresses," coach Bec Goddard told afc.com.au.

"Obviously, Erin is really keen to play on Saturday and we’ll give her every possible chance."

All Australian defender Courtney Cramey will miss a third successive game with a hamstring injury.

It leaves the winless Crows seriously short on firepower, with vice-captain Angela Foley suspended for one week for kneeing Daisy Pearce in round two. 

The reigning premiers will be all but ruled out of Grand Final contention if they suffer another loss this season.