Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane is hoping to return from injury for Saturday’s AFL fixture against Carlton.

Sloane has missed the past three games because of fractured cheekbone.

But teammate Jake Lever says Sloane and fellow onballer Richard Douglas (foot) are pressing to return as the Crows seek to snap a two-game losing sequence.

Douglas has missed the past four matches while Lever also expects Brodie Smith, sidelined for the past fortnight after being concussed, to be in the selection frame for the trip to Carlton.

“There’s probably a couple of guys that could come back this week,” four-game defender Lever told reporters on Monday.

“It’s pretty early to call that; they have still got to get through a main training session on Wednesday. But we’re hopeful that not only Rory but a couple of others can come back into the side.”

Emerging onballer Brad Crouch is also close to resuming in state league ranks after suffering a pre-season foot injury.

Their returns will bolster the Crows, perched in seventh spot with five wins and four losses.

Lever said Adelaide were wary of last-placed Carlton in what will be their interim coach John Barker’s second game in charge.

“They showed some really good signs against Sydney on the weekend,” Lever said of the Blues, winners just once this season.

“We’re not taking this game lightly whatsoever. We’re really hungry for a contest, obviously we’re coming off two disappointing losses so we’re out to redeem ourselves.”