ADELAIDE captain Simon Goodwin has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium after struggling to overcome his knee injury.

The Crows were optimistic Goodwin, who strained his medial ligament in the win over Essendon in round 11, would miss just one match.

However, his 250th-game milestone remains on hold and though he trained briefly indoors on Wednesday, the club is wary of pushing Goodwin too hard in his rehabilitation.

Midfielder Nathan van Berlo said the returns of Graham Johncock and Richard Douglas from illness would help cover Goodwin’s absence.

"Goody has been trying to get himself up and he’s very diligent with what he does in trying to get right to play," van Berlo said on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, Simon’s not able to play this week, but as we showed last week there are a number of guys that can certainly come in, fill positions and play their role."

There was some better news out of training for high-flying forward Brett Burton.

Burton, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Collingwood in round 15 last year, has been cleared to make a comeback via the SANFL.

It won't be this weekend though, with the 31-year-old taking a cautious approach after feeling the effects of fatigue.

There were earlier suggestions he could bypass the reserves and line up for the Woodville-West Torrens senior side, despite being out of the game for nearly 12 months.

Van Berlo said Burton’s successful rehabilitation was a credit to his hard work and determination.

"Birdman has been jumping out of his skin for about the last six months. He’s been ahead of schedule for fair while and he’s another one who has worked so hard at his rehab," van Berlo said.

"Whoever plays on him on the weekend, if he gets a run, I feel sorry for because Bird will be running around like a fresh young boy."

Forward Nick Gill will not be running around any time soon.

Gill injured his ankle playing for North Adelaide on the weekend and scans have revealed a small fracture in the joint.

He is expected to miss five to six weeks of football.