James Slipper's suspension for drug use has been hard to cop for his friend and teammate Scott Higginbotham.
But the Queensland Reds captain says it hasn't taken the steam out of his Super Rugby side and that there is a genuine excitement to return to the field on Saturday against a vulnerable Highlanders outfit.
Slipper on Thursday copped a two-month ban and fine for cocaine use, revealing after the announcement that he had been suffering from depression.
"Not well, in terms of our mate being in a bit of trouble," Higginbotham said of how the squad had dealt with the news.
"That's not what you want to see for a friend."
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His absence against New Zealand's Highlanders (7-4) at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night adds to the long list of off-field distractions the Queensland club has encountered this season.
But on the field Brad Thorn's young squad (4-7) have produced some good, bad and ugly rugby that should provide optimism for fans seeking a Reds revival.
Pointing to a tight 38-34 loss away to the 10-2 Crusaders last weekend, Higginbotham is adamant they can finish a controversial week with a victory.
"Absolutely, we're still really keen to play football," Higginbotham said.
"There's still a lot to be achieved out of this season and when you show how you can play - the young guys start to realise how they can compete at this level - the only way is up."
The Highlanders have problems of their own after a 41-12 loss to the Waratahs broke Australian Super Rugby teams' 40-game drought against New Zealand opponents last weekend.
All Blacks squad members Ben Smith, Luke Whitelock, Shannon Frizell and Liam Coltman have been omitted this weekend, while gun No.9 Aaron Smith is on the bench in an attempt to manage the workload of the team's Test contingent.
The visitors will also be without winger Tevita Nabura, who copped a six-week suspension for his spectacular boot to the face of Waratahs opposite Cam Clark.
Having bumped Wallabies lock Kane Douglas to the bench, 19-year-old Harry Hockings is the latest Red to earn a run-on debut, while Izaia Perese returns to the wing.
