Setback for Crow trio

ADELAIDE will kick off its pre-season campaign on Thursday minus stars Nathan Bock, Ben Rutten and Nathan van Berlo.

Bock, 26, missed the last six games of the season, including both finals with a microfracture in his heel.

The All-Australian defender was in and out of a moon boot during the off-season and is not expected to join in full training until after Christmas.

Van Berlo, who also sat out the Crows’ finals campaign, will join Bock in rehabilitation as he continues to recover from a stress fracture in his back.

Adelaide physical performance manager Stephen Schwerdt said the pair would increase training gradually.

“We want to get on top of these injuries so they [Bock and van Berlo] will both stay out of the main group until after Christmas,” Schwerdt told afc.com.au.

“They will still do a fair bit of work inside and on the bikes, but none of the football sessions at this stage.”

Full-back Ben Rutten had minor knee surgery over the break and will also ease into full training.

Rookie Chris Schmidt, who had a mid-season shoulder reconstruction, will join in most of the football sessions, but Brodie Martin (knee), Ricky Henderson (hip) and Brian Donnelly (hand) will be in the rehabilitation group.