Harry Wilson has completed training with a heavily-strapped arm in a boost to Queensland's sudden-death quarter-final hopes against the Crusaders.
Wilson left the field late in the Reds' 52-7 win over the Fijian Drua last week holding the same arm he had fractured earlier this season.
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But in confident signs, Wilson was tackling and running freely on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the Reds' departure on Wednesday.
Winger Tim Ryan (ankle) and versatile forward Seru Uru (knee) also trained as Wilson pushed for a return for the clash, likely to be played in near-freezing, wet conditions in Christchurch on Friday night.
Their availability would be a huge boost for Les Kiss's injury-hit side.
Wilson starred when the Reds snapped a 25-year winning drought in Christchurch last year, pouncing on an out-of-form Crusaders team who have since rediscovered their mojo.
They pipped the ACT Brumbies in Canberra last week to snag second place and ensure the fifth-placed Reds travelled across the ditch rather than to the nation's capital for their must-win game.
Lock Josh Canham said there were ways to ensure the hosts didn't swallow them up on Friday night.
"We're up for the challenge," he said.
"Everyone knows the Crusaders in finals are a force but the boys showed last year it's possible to win over there.
"We've had a lot of good moments in our games but fluctuated really poorly in our bad areas.
"Don't bounce up and down, all games fluctuate, but don't bounce that far, we'll be in the game.
"(Flyhalf Tom Lynagh's) been great this year putting us forwards on the front foot.
"It's never going to be perfect, but when things don't go perfect we don't put our heads down and go into a shell, we fight our way out of it."
Canham, 24, doesn't usually commit energy to analysing his opposite number but admits it's hard to ignore when that man is the All Blacks captain.
Scott Barrett is the second-row superstar who played a big role in the Crusaders' run of five consecutive Super Rugby titles either side of the domesticated 2020-21 seasons.
"I try not to think about my opposition too much but it's hard to ignore him," Canham said.
"It's his full-round game. Detail around his lineout stuff, his carries, maul work. It will be awesome to go against his lineout as well."
Queensland won't have Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (shoulder) to help in the lineout, making the task tougher for the talented Canham
However it's the Reds' flyhalf stocks that are of greatest concern with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips set to miss out following a head knock sustained last weekend against the Drua.
McLaughlin-Phillips' absence places huge responsibility on the shoulders of Lynagh but the young Wallaby is relishing the prospect of an 80-minute performance.
"I don't think I've played a full 80 so far but I should be ready for it. I've got a whole season under my belt," Lynagh told reporters.
"We're just going to play how we want to play. We won't the occasion dictate that - we just need to play smart footy in finals.
"It's all feel during the game. That might mean more threes (penalty goals), that might mean going to the corner more - you've just got to see how the game's going and whether we've got momentum or not."
