Adelaide expect a key trio to return from injury for Saturday’s AFL grudge match against Port Adelaide.

Linkman Tom Lynch (calf), midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen (shin) and utility Wayne Milera (back) are all tipped to play against the Power.

Adelaide’s Rory Sloane also expects his co-captain Taylor Walker to play despite suffering an elbow injury in last Friday night’s loss to Geelong.

“I think he’ll be fine this week but obviously see how it pulls up in the next couple of days,” Sloane told reporters on Monday.

Lynch has missed the past three games while Milera was ruled out of the Geelong game.

“Both those guys are looking like they could return which will be handy,” Sloane said.

“Tom is such an important player for us, his link and connection between the mids and forwards, and backs and forwards too, is pivotal for us.

“And Wayne’s run … is probably something we missed on the weekend too.”

The Crows dropped to sixth on the ladder with their loss to Geelong – they matched the ladder-leaders until halftime but were then blown away when mustering just three goals to Geelong’s seven in the second half.

“The positives in that first half were just outweighed by the way we ended up playing in that second half,” Sloane said.

The Crows leader predicted a typically fierce contest in the Showdown against Port, who slipped out of the top eight when upset by the Western Bulldogs.

“Always wary of Port … you go back across every Showdown, they’re always brutal games, always tough games,” Sloane said.

“And you know it’s going to be hot because both teams, there’s a bit of South Australian pride on the line.

“That is why we love playing them because they are that finals-like atmosphere, so regardless of the results on the weekend it’s always going to be a hot game.”