ALL AUSTRALIAN nominees Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch headline a group of nine Adelaide players on modified training programs heading into the New Year. 

But key defenders Daniel Talia (adductor) and Jake Lever (ankle) have been cleared to return to full training after getting injured in their semi-final loss to Sydney. 

The Crows enjoyed a brilliant run with injury this year, which allowed them to have the most settled side in the competition.

Adelaide's new general manager of high performance Matt Hass has had his hands full managing the club's walking wounded during the off-season. 

Lynch had a minor knee operation, while Jenkins had surgery to repair damage to his ankle. 

"JJ (Jenkins) and Lynchy are going really well," Hass told afc.com.au.

"We expect them to be back into relatively full loads once the playing group returns in January. 

"Daniel Talia and Jake Lever have done everything they needed to do over the off-season and returned to the main group.

"Obviously, we’ll modify (their programs) where necessary and keep an eye on them, but all in all they’re back in full swing."

Joining Jenkins and Lynch on modified programs are defenders Luke Brown and Kyle Cheney (both groin soreness), winger Paul Seedsman (hip), rookie-listed defender Alex Keath (hip) and draftees Elliott Himmelberg (leg), Matthew Signorello (shoulder) and Ben Davis (foot).

"Browny and Cheney are (on) slightly modified (programs) up until Christmas," Hass said.

"We expect them to return after Christmas into modified loads, and then progress quite quickly from there." 

Hass joined the Crows last month from the Brisbane Lions after Brett Burton became Adelaide's head of football. 

He is easing the club's draft picks – Jordan Gallucci, Myles Poholke, Ben Jarman, Himmelberg, Signorello and Davis – slowly into the rigours of what is expected at the elite level. 

"We’ll try and build them up reasonably slowly at the start to make sure they become accustomed to training at AFL level," Hass said.

"They’ll transition through about 65 per cent of what the main group are doing in their first pre-season." 

Adelaide's walking wounded

  • Josh Jenkins (ankle)
  • Tom Lynch (knee)
  • Luke Brown (groin)
  • Kyle Cheney (groin)
  • Paul Seedsman (hip)
  • Alex Keath (hip)
  • Elliott Himmelberg (leg)
  • Matthew Signorello (shoulder)
  • Ben Davis (foot)