HAWTHORN defender Grant Birchall remains hobbled by an ankle complaint and won't play on Thursday night against Adelaide.

The Hawks flew out for Adelaide on Wednesday morning, and coach Alastair Clarkson said Birchall was still recovering from the ankle injury he suffered against Sydney in round eight.

"We've been saying for three weeks that he thought he was (going to play) next week, but he's been really slow from what we thought initially," Clarkson said from Melbourne Airport.

"He's getting there, he's making progress, but just not as quick as we thought."

Small forward Paul Puopolo has recovered from a foot injury suffered against Gold Coast in Launceston two weeks ago, and will play.