Rory Sloane will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hand. Picture: AFL Photos

ADELAIDE will be without skipper Rory Sloane for up to six weeks after the gun midfielder fractured his hand in the loss to West Coast on Saturday.

Sloane suffered the injury during the third quarter when he fell from a marking contest.

NINE THINGS WE LEARNED New-look Saints, same old problems

He will undergo surgery in the coming days to repair a fracture at the base of the thumb on his left hand.

06:32

"The latter stages of rehabilitation will be based on the return of function of Rory's thumb rather than a specific time frame," Crows head of science and medicine Steve Saunders said.

"Rory will see a specialist on Monday and undergo surgery in the coming days."

BARRETT Horror fortnight leaves shows up stale Kangas

It is another bitter blow for the winless Crows with Sloane joining teammates Wayne Milera (foot), Rory Atkins (shoulder) and Jordan Gallucci (Achilles) on the sidelines.

Adelaide will be hoping Taylor Walker (knee) and Darcy Fogarty (shoulder) are fit to return for next Monday's clash against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval.