More cavalry has arrived for the embattled Queensland Reds with Karmichael Hunt and Liam Gill set to face the Melbourne Rebels on Friday and Rob Simmons to join them on their forthcoming tour of South Africa.
Hunt and Gill both return from suspension, with the latter set to start against the Rebels at AAMI Park - although coach Richard Graham was coy on whether Hunt would do the same or come off the bench.
Gill was serving a two-week ban for a wrestling-style tackle in their loss against the Brumbies, while Hunt's club-imposed suspension for cocaine possession has expired.
Wallabies lock Simmons, meanwhile, is nearly over a shoulder nerve injury that has kept him sidelined since pre-season and should be fit to play in one or both of Queensland's games against the Bulls and Cheetahs.
"That's going to be a big addition, especially in the forward pack," captain James Slipper said of Simmons' impending return.
"And having Karmichael and Gilly - (they) are two players that are really influential in the group.
"We understand it's going to be tough down in Melbourne but to have them in the team will be good."
Recruit Hendrik Tui is also nearing his long-awaited Queensland Reds debut.
The New Zealand-born Japanese international has not yet recovered from the fractured fibula he suffered just days before he was scheduled to join the Reds from Japan's Top League.
But he is expected to play club rugby while his teammates are in South Africa, with a view to being available for their home clash with the Hurricanes on April 26.
By then, it will be clear if Graham's confidence that Queensland can still make the finals is misguided or on the money.
The Reds have a woeful 1-5 win-loss record, sit bottom of the Australian conference and have scored fewer tries than any other team in Super Rugby.
They fell 18-17 to the Lions at home last week and must beat the Rebels to have any hope of a late-season resurgence.
Slipper still believes it's possible.
"With the players we do have here, it's a very good squad," he said.
"Not only strong but it's very deep.
"That's what makes this squad very competitive.
"Unfortunately at the moment we haven't had the best luck and we've started the season pretty slowly.
"In saying that, we took steps forward in the last game ... it really did feel like the first run (of the season) for most of us with different players, different combinations."
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