The midfielder, now level with Lions ruckman Jacob Olsson atop the Riverina League player of the year voting, suffered a minor quad tear late in last week's 17-point loss at Coolamon.

Darley's absence is a big blow for the Crows, who have shown much better over the past three weeks.

"It's a grade one tear. I've got a few things going on with my back apparently, some neural stuff," he said.

"I could kick left-footed and play this week. If it was a final or an important game (I could), but probably this week I'll miss and load up for Narrandera the next week.

"I want to play as many games as I can so for the sake of making sure I get through the year I'll miss one."

Darley continued his outstanding season by having a massive influence in the Hoppers clash, before a yellow card which saw him miss 15 minutes either side of half-time proved pivotal.

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The former GWS Giant and Western Bulldog said he was informed by umpires he was reported for striking, but was later issued a reprimand for wrestling.

Coolamon kicked two goals late in the first half in Darley's absence to build a 14-point halftime lead.

"I was frustrated, I was told at the time it was striking. I got sent off for 15 minutes and it probably doesn't change the result, but you'd think I could potentially have stopped a clearance that led to a goal," he said.

Although the Crows have just two wins, they have been much more competitive over the last three weeks against Wagga Tigers (three point loss), Griffith (49-point win) and Coolamon.

Bailey Wood (shoulder) is likely to return against the second-placed Lions, while key defender Will Wakeman (wrist) is a chance to play his first game of the year.

It will help offset the loss of Kyle Peat who accepted a one-match ban with an early guilty plea for striking Coolamon's Zac Oliver in the first quarter, while Hunter Booth has also returned home to Victoria.

"We'll be much more competitive than the last time we played them," Darley said.

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