MIDFIELDER Matt Crouch is set to become Adelaide's fourth captain this season as a spate of injuries strikes the club's leadership group.

Stand-in skipper Tom Lynch is expected to miss at least Sunday's away trip to Fremantle because of a side strain, his exact prognosis to be released on Tuesday.

With captain Taylor Walker (back/glute), vice-captain Rory Sloane (foot) and now Lynch sidelined, Crouch is the only member of the club's leadership group still fit.

"Obviously as the leader Tom is, and the run that he provides, it was a miss for the forwards and the midfield to link through him," first-year forward Darcy Fogarty told reporters on Monday.

"But we have got enough people there that can fill his spot.

"Everyone knows what they need to do – it doesn't really matter who does the coin toss.

"We have got plenty of leaders out there to bounce off."

The Crows are grappling with their third loss in four games. After hitting the front early in the final term at home on Sunday against Greater Western Sydney, they conceded the last three goals to lose by 16 points.

Lynch's teammate Richard Douglas copped a poke to an eye and is also being assessed on Monday.

Adelaide could again summon Andy Otten as it seeks to arrest a mid-season slide, while Curtly Hampton is available – he hasn't played since needing ankle surgery after the opening round.

The Crows hope Walker and Sloane will miss only another two weeks, with utility Riley Knight (hamstring) also due back in a fortnight.

Forward Mitch McGovern (ankle) is two months from resuming and while Brodie Smith's recovery from a knee reconstruction is on track, but he is still a long shot to play again this season.

Onballer Brad Crouch's year appears shot after he was booked in for surgery this week on his long-term groin problem.