A sore hamstring will keep boom recruit Wayne Carey out of Adelaide's round-three AFL match against Sydney.

In a week in which Richmond and Carlton have already received crucial injury setbacks, Adelaide have opted not to risk Carey, who has played just one full game with his new club.

Carey kicked four goals in his debut with the Crows a fortnight ago, but left the ground injured against St Kilda last Saturday after just four possessions.

Adelaide spokesman Phil Harper said the Crows ruled Carey out of the trip to the SCG to avoid risking further injury.

Carey's injury comes just two days after the Tigers and Blues lost key players.

Richmond forward Matthew Richardson will be sidelined for Sunday's game against Fremantle after he underwent cheekbone surgery yesterday following a clash of heads with Bulldog Scott West.

And Carlton is without captain Brett Ratten for a month after he tore knee cartilage in the Blues' loss to Collingwood.

Carlton ruck-forward Corey McKernan jarred a knee in that game and also remains in serious doubt for Friday night's clash against Essendon after leaving training early today.

But there was better news for Essendon, with captain James Hird proving his fitness in a sparkling 80-minute session despite corking a thigh against Melbourne.

Hird is almost certain to play the Blues, an outcome clearly against the trend of injuries this week, given the star half-forward's cruel run of luck in recent years.

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