- Jarrad Waite, Daniel Wells miss for Roos

- Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington return

- Adelaide young gun back in favour

NORTH Melbourne has lost star midfielder Daniel Wells to injury and Jarrad Waite has also failed a fitness test for Thursday night's blockbuster against the Crows.

But skipper Andrew Swallow is back from concussion and important midfielder Ben Cunnington (corked quad) also returns for the crunch match at Adelaide Oval.

Meanwhile, the Crows have recalled young gun Brad Crouch for his fifth game this season to replace Paul Seedsman (hamstring) in the only change for Don Pyke's side, which was in red-hot form before enjoying the bye last round.

Teams: Crows v Roos full line-ups

Seedsman sustained the injury at training and the club has confirmed he'll miss up to three weeks.

Wells appeared to sustain an ankle injury in last Friday night's loss to Hawthorn, but he has been withdrawn from this week's side due to a calf complaint.

Waite missed the grudge match with the Hawks after aggravating a hip injury the previous week against Geelong, and the gun forward later conceded he shouldn't have played the Cats.

The veteran duo didn't fly to Adelaide with the team on Wednesday afternoon and were always unlikely after coach Brad Scott said on Monday that the Roos wouldn't risk players if they weren't 100 per cent fit.

The Roos are dealing with a worrying injury toll as they attempt to arrest a slide of three losses from the past four games, with Luke McDonald's season in doubt after he underwent hamstring surgery on Wednesday morning.

Check out your club's full injury list

The young defender was cruelly struck down with injury after a desperate chase-down tackle on Cyril Rioli.

Fellow senior players Shaun Higgins (knee), Ben Jacobs (foot) and Sam Wright (ankle) are already on the sidelines long term.

The Kangaroos (10-3) could fall out of the top four for the first time since round two if they lose to the Crows (8-4), who could climb only a game away from the top four with victory on their home turf.

Thursday, June 23

Adelaide v North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm ACST

ADELAIDE

In: B.Crouch

Out: P.Seedsman (hamstring)

NORTH MELBOURNE

In: A.Swallow, B.Cunnington

Out: D.Wells (calf), L.McDonald (hamstring)