Nathan Bock's bold bid to be considered for Adelaide's AFL round 22 clash with Carlton has failed to reach the first hurdle after he was ruled out on Tuesday.

Having been afflicted by heel soreness that was ultimately attributed to a hairline fracture, Bock planned to run on Monday and Tuesday before training in mid-week, but he will now rest up in an effort to be fit for week one of the finals.

Complicating matters for the Crows is the fact that the effects of the fracture cannot be soothed by painkilling injections, meaning there is also the risk of Bock breaking down and being unable to return to the field on game-day if he returns too soon.

"Nathan did a little bit of training this morning, but there's still a bit of soreness hanging around," said assistant coach Ben Hart.

"His heel is not good enough to train tomorrow, so we'll give him probably until Monday and re-assess then.

"The whole idea of injecting any sort of injury is to numb it or get so you're able to play a certain amount of the game.

"If it's not going to work, there's no use doing it and that's why Nathan has to do as much as he can now while resting to make sure he's at the percentage he needs to be to play."

Hart, who as defensive line coach is keener than most to see Bock resuming his place at the back, said the 2008 All-Australian remained on track to play in the finals.

Nathan is still in the (finals) plans until he's completely ruled out," he said.

"(But) he would have to be up and running.

"He'd have to prove on the training track that he can do what he needs to do as far as running, jumping, kicking and not pulling up sore is concerned."

Should Bock not be seen again, Hart said the Crows had no qualms about handing young key position player Phil Davis, their first round pick at the 2008 national draft, a debut in the finals.

"Phil's in the mix and has been for the last couple of weeks. The good thing about Phil is that he's got the flexibility to play forward or back," Hart said.

"Obviously, it's a big call, but it's one we're happy to make."

Adelaide play Carlton on Saturday afternoon in a match to decide the destiny of fifth and sixth spots.

Hart said Adelaide's earlier win over the Blues this year, in which they held one of the league's most potent attacking sides goalless up to halftime, gave the players a strong idea of what was necessary.

"It was a good performance and that's the type of thing we need to be doing, we need to be in their face for want of a better word and really putting the pressure on them to use the ball," he said.

"They're a great running side when they get their game going, so it's going to be high on our agenda for us to slow them down and make sure we're really up at them."

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