ADELAIDE key defender Daniel Talia can't take a trick, with a fractured shin putting him in doubt for Saturday night's clash with Brisbane at the Gabba.

However, there's better news for exciting forward Mitch McGovern, who is in contention to return from an ankle injury for his first game since round eight.

Talia missed last Thursday night's 15-point win over Geelong with a foot strain.

He was due to return for the clash with the Lions, but the 26-year-old copped a knock to his shin at training earlier this week.

"Unfortunately, scans have showed a small crack in the fibula," Crows general manager of high performance Matt Hass said.

"We'll give him every chance for this weekend, but he's got some work to do to be available."

McGovern is expected to be available for his first appearance in more than two months after an ankle injury sustained in the round eight Showdown.

"That's going really well at the moment and he's back into main training," Hass said.

"He needs to get through main training, but we expect him to be available on the weekend."

Defender Brodie Smith will also be assessed at Wednesday's main training session to see if returns in the SANFL on Saturday.

It would be his first game in more than 10 months since tearing the ACL in his knee in the qualifying final against Greater Western Sydney.