ADELAIDE skipper Taylor Walker and vice-captain Rory Sloane are both expected to return for next week's massive Showdown with cross-town rival Port Adelaide.

Walker injured his hamstring in last weekend's win against Gold Coast and will miss Saturday night's clash with Carlton at Adelaide Oval.

"It looks like it will be one week, he was pretty keen to push it this week and play," Crows assistant coach Ben Hart said on Friday.

"We decided to go conservative with him, but he should be available for the Showdown."

Sloane also won't face the Blues – the third game he's been sidelined for with a foot strain.

"Speaking to Rory today, he's dirty on missing this week," Hart said.

"They should both come back in (for the Showdown).

"We decided with Sloane a few weeks ago to get him back to 100 per cent, not 90, not 85, not 95, but make sure he's right to go because he's so important to our side.

"When he comes back in, we want him to stay back in for the rest of the year."

Hart also dismissed speculation forward Riley Knight was the latest Crows player to be riddled by the club's hamstring crisis.

"No hamstring (injury), it is purely management," Hart said.

"Players don't like to miss games by being managed, but it's in the betterment for him.

"We think he's in our best side going forward and we'd like to have him for a long time."

Knight is expected to return next week to face the Power.

The Crows (4-2) are red-hot favourites to consign Carlton to its seventh straight loss to start the season.

But Hart said it would be foolish to take the Blues lightly given they've been competitive in almost every game this year.

"We can't afford to rest on any laurels, it doesn't matter who you're playing," Hart said.

"Carlton have been in games, their best is good enough.

"They've probably had a little bit of trouble sustaining that for a full four quarter effort, but they've been around the mark.

"If we're lax in any area, we'll get found out."