The Brumbies are likely to be without David Pocock and Allan Alaalotoa for Sunday's clash against the Reds as the Wallabies pair continue to recover from injuries.
While they will not name their team until tomorrow, Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano said the pair was "doubtful" for the Suncorp Stadium derby, with coach Dan McKellar likely to give them until after next week's bye to recover.
"Allan was out there running (on Thursday) … but I'm doubtful for them this week, I guess heading into the bye (it's a good idea to rest them and) they should be ready to go the week after," Lealiifano said.
"But the guys that have been in their positions - Les (Leuluaailii-Makin) and Tom Ross, (Tom) Cusack, Pete Samu - those guys have been really stepping up and it's nice to know that those guys are doing their jobs.
"And to have the guys like Poey (Pocock) and Allan (Alaalatoa) ready to come back in is an luxury as well." 
The Brumbies have faced some injury challenges in the opening rounds, with young flanker Rob Valetini added to the list with a knee concern last week, although they have quality replacements available, with Pete Samu injected when Valetini went down.
"We've spoken all year about the depth of our squad and we're going to need to call on them throughout the year with the national players being rested as well," Lealiifano said.
"The depth of your squad is going to be needed and unfortunately, due to injury, these guys have got an opportunity.
"It's nice to see Pete Samu come in as well, it doesn't give you any questions around that, you're really confident with the guys that are stepping in to play those roles and contribute to the team."
The Brumbies are riding high after a morale-boosting win against the Waratahs but Lealiifano is wary of the Jekyll and Hyde Reds, especially in Brisbane.
"Suncorp's a place that the Reds really love to play at, similar to GIO for us," he said.
"They like to hold that homeground advantage and with their motto this year of backing themselves to play and getting the belief back in their maroon jersey, it's created a lot of support for them and with that young group, they're going to be a tough challenge for us.
"It's about preparing the best we can.
"We say that every week but it's a different challenge going to play at Suncorp, it's going to be a tough and hostile environment."
The rolling maul has been a massive weapon for the Brumbies this season but they are also wary of the Reds' ability at the set piece.
"That's sowmehere they love to attack is that set piece stuff.
"Our forwards are definitely aware of that and I think we're more than capable of handling that part of the game and the challenge for us as a team and for me as a playmaker is the balance of playing our attacking style and rolling up our sleeves and get stuck into the work the forwards do.
"They've got some really big ball carriers in the backline that are quite dangerous, so we all need to be on our game and ready to roll up our sleeves."
The Brumbies take on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, March 24, kicking off at 4:05pm AEDT (3:05pm local), live on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
