Can one extract the π-neutron scattering length from π-deuteron scattering?

We give a proof of evidence that the original power counting by Weinberg can be applied to estimate the contributions of the operators contributing to the π-deuteron scattering length. As a consequence, π-deuteron observables can be used to extract neutron amplitudes-in case of π-deuteron scattering this means that the π-neutron scattering length can be extracted with high accuracy. This result is at variance with recent claims. We discuss the origin of this difference.