Knights blow for Crows

Adelaide's disappointing pre-season has gone from bad to worse with confirmation Chris Knights has suffered a stress fracture in his left foot.

The 23-year-old had been initially diagnosed with the condition plantar fasciitis, forcing him to wear a moon boot to protect his foot but scans have since confirmed he also has the stress fracture.

The Crows have optimistically suggested that he may still recover in time to play in Round 1, with six weeks on the sidelines the worst-case scenario but such injuries have in the past resulted in much longer stints on the sidelines.

"Late last week Chris was aware of pain and swelling further down the foot towards the toes. An investigation on the weekend revealed a stress fracture," club doctor Andrew Potter told the club's official website, afc.com.au.

"Chris will continue to have treatment for both plantar fasciitis and the stress fracture."

The injury to Knights comes on top of pre-season injuries to rising star Andy Otten, veteran forward Brett Burton and midfielder Nathan van Berlo.

Burton recently had to undergo knee surgery and both he and van Berlo, who has a stress fracture in his back, are in doubt for Round 1, while Otten won't play a game in 2010 after suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Adelaide is expected, however, to play Kurt Tippett, Scott Thompson and Nathan Bock in Alice Springs against Collingwood on Friday night in the NAB Challenge and is confident that Jason Porplyzia, Brad Symes and Brad Moran will be fit for Round 1 against Fremantle in Perth.