Crusaders coaches Scott Robertson and James Marshall have provided injury updates on two key players following the title holders’ win over the Brumbies on Friday.

The Crusaders have been dealt a tough hand during the early rounds of this season, and it’s going to get even worse for them, before it gets better.

Crusaders stars Will Jordan, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Sam Whitelock and Jack Goodhue all have missed games this season through injury, and another test star recently has been ruled out.

Following the 35-17 win over the previously undefeated Brumbies, Robertson shared an update on injured flanker Ethan Blackadder.

Blackadder left the field just before the halftime break with a calf injury and is set for a “couple of weeks” on the sidelines.

The World Cup hopeful had only recently returned from a lengthy sideline stint due to a shoulder injury. He was playing quite well against the Brumbies, before going off.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s light at the end of the injury tunnel for the champions.

Marshall believes Jordan will return next month after a “decent stint” away from competitive rugby.

Jordan, who was named in World Rugby’s dream team last year, was ruled out of the All Blacks’ end-of-season tour with an inner-ear issue.

This problem has kept the exciting utility out of Super Rugby Pacific so far this season, but his return to the Crusaders’ matchday side may only be a matter of weeks away.

“It’s been a real niggling one with him,” Marshall said on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine. “It’s obviously an inner-ear, balance thing, and it hasn’t had a timeline on it. He’s been given the all-clear now, so it’s just about getting him confident and back to playing rugby.

“I don’t think it’ll be in the next few weeks, but hopefully after that bye – we’ve got a bye in three weeks – so hopefully after that bye, we’ll be able to see him back on the field, all going well.

“I guess the niggly thing about it, like any concussion sort of injury, is you don’t have a timeline on it, so (it’s) really frustrating to (not) know when he’s going to be back,” he added.

“Especially for him, everyone asks him, ‘When are you going to be back?’

“He just doesn’t know. It’s taken a while. I don’t know how long it’s been, but it’s been probably around six months since his last game. It’s been a decent stint on the sidelines from it.

“But he’s training well, and just starting to progress to contact. Hopefully, we see him back on the field.”

After starting their season with one win from three starts, the Crusaders have shot up the ladder to fifth after hard-fought wins over the high-flying Blues and Brumbies.

Match Report: After Round 5 vs the Brumbies

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The Crusaders will travel across the ditch in Round 6 to play the Queensland Reds at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, before facing Moana Pasifika the week after.

If Marshall’s assessment is correct, then Jordan potentially could return in Round 9 against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.