Crouch hasn't featured in a premiership season game this year and suffered a setback last week at training.

The Crows' 2017 club champion had been eyeing a return in state league ranks only to report groin soreness after a mid-week training session.

Crouch consulted a groin specialist and surgery was decided as the best option to fix his ongoing injury, which initially flared after he played a preseason game.

"We had managed his training loads ... and he had progressed to joining main training with the group last week," Adelaide's head of football Adam Kelly told the club's website on Tuesday.

"But he has continued to present with persistent groin pain which has led to the decision to have surgery."

Kelly said a timeframe on Crouch can return to the field would be known post-surgery.

The All Australian on-baller's groin issues came after he had hip surgery in the off-season.

Meanwhile, the Crows will make a call later this week on whether forward Ned McHenry can return after missing Sunday's loss to West Coast because of concussion the week prior.

Adelaide's injury list also includes key defender Daniel Talia, who is expected to miss another month after having foot surgery, while forwards Lachlan Murphy (ankle) and Tom Lynch (toe) are eight to nine weeks from returning.

Australian Associated Press