Brad Crouch's hopes of playing at all this AFL season are hanging by a thread, with the Adelaide Crows midfielder heading in for surgery next week on his injured groin.
Crouch hasn't played yet this season and it was only a few weeks ago the club was denying he needed surgery.
But they released a statement on Saturday saying he had suffered a "setback."
"Unfortunately, Brad's injury is not responding as well as we would have liked to the strengthening program that we have been undertaking," Crows head of football Brett Burton said.
"We have decided surgery is the best course of action given this latest setback.
"The decision was made after speaking with Brad, his family, and the team of medical specialists and surgeons who have been examining him and exploring all other alternatives over the last few months."
The exact length of time he will be out will be determined after the surgery.
