NEW coach Phil Walsh has identified former Hawk Kyle Cheney as the new player most likely to make an impact at Adelaide next year.

Walsh described Cheney’s pre-season as “outstanding” and said of all the club’s recruits, Cheney is the one who he already has pencilled in for Round 1 next year.

“I think he’s in our best 22,” Walsh said.

SKIPPER: CROWS COACH STILL UNDECIDED ON CAPTAIN

”But there’s still some water to go under the bridge, we’ve still got a lot of training to get through and some NAB Cup games.

”But I’ve been really happy with him. In saying that Kyle, realises there are a few areas he still has to improve in as well.

”He is aware of those and he’ll come back (from the Crows’ two-week break) and make sure he does.”

Adelaide, which is short of recognised key defenders after the retirement of 2005 All-Australian Ben Rutten, traded for Cheney and his Hawthorn teammate Luke Lowden, a ruckman, in October.

The 25-year-old Cheney played 27 games in four years with the Hawks after starting his career at Melbourne, where he played 14 matches from 2009-10.

Asked why he has so much confidence in Cheney, given he has failed to consolidate a spot in six years in the AFL, Walsh said: “He played a lot of footy this year for Hawthorn (nine games) but I suppose the thing that he’s shown to me is that when we’ve done the match simulation or team defence type training he is well ahead of some of our other players.

“He understands the concepts and he’s also a leader out there. We’ve got a really young backline and he’s shown those attributes, which is really important.’’

media_camera Kyle Cheney goes for a ride while playing for Box Hill in the VFL. Picture: Paul Loughnan

One of the 187cm, 90kg Cheney’s strengths is his versatility and ability to play on tall and small forwards.

Walsh said he did not want to individualise and name any other recruits or young players who could become regulars for the Crows next year, but said: “I will give players an opportunity in the NAB Cup, that’s something I definitely will do’’.

Barring pre-season injuries, Walsh expects to have all but two of his players available for the start of the premiership season.

The exceptions are defenders Andy Otten, who is on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction, and Sam Shaw, who has had major hamstring surgery.

Walsh described his players’ attitudes in their first six weeks of training under him as “fantastic’’.

“The boys are really striving for some of the standards we’re trying to meet, so I’ve been really happy with the group,’’ he said.

Originally published as Early bird Cheney flies into best 22