Adelaide champion Andrew McLeod has vowed knee surgery won't end his decorated AFL career.

The Crows have ruled McLeod out indefinitely after he had knee surgery on Tuesday, an operation expected to sideline the 33-year-old at least a month.

Coach Neil Craig said McLeod had pledged to return this year, but had not discussed his longer term future.

McLeod, Adelaide's games record holder with 339 matches, is considering joining captain Simon Goodwin and Tyson Edwards in retirement.

"I haven't spoken to him about next year, he hasn't come to me to chat about it," Craig said on Thursday.

McLeod was in "good spirits" after having surgery on his troublesome right knee, which has long impacted his preparation and recovery from games, Craig said.

"He's back on track from a mental point of view," he said.

"He'll get it rehabbed and get the knee the best he can to get back playing."

Asked if McLeod had expressed a view the injury might by career-ending, Craig said: "Absolute opposite.

"Andrew is very clear in his mind about what he wants to do for the rest of the year, which is a good positive healthy attitude to have."

McLeod will miss Adelaide's trip to Launceston to play Hawthorn on Saturday, as will eight-gamer Phil Davis (concussion) and Edwards.

"He (McLeod) has been in good form so he's certainly a loss for us," Craig said.

"We just need to accept that is what we have got and do the best we can to cover it.

"And someone else - you know the old cliche - will get an opportunity, it's how well they utilise that opportunity."

The Crows expect key defender Nathan Bock to return from a groin injury, while utility Brad Symes is likely to play his first AFL game for the year after overcoming a knee injury.

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