Prop Greg Holmes aims to follow Reds teammate Chris Latham's lead and rush back from a knee injury to lift his Wallabies hopes with a final-round Super 14 clash against NSW.

Holmes was a rueful spectator at Reds training after being forced to miss another grudge match, Friday night's battle with the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium, following surgery.

Former Brumbies prop Ben Coutts is set to replace the World Cup tourist at loose-head with Rodney Blake, tipped to leave Ballymore for France, again being relegated to the bench.

Injury-riddled Queensland, desperate to win their first interstate derby in two years, will on Tuesday announce their team including their fourth different captain in six weeks.

Coach Phil Mooney is to decide between young and old with rising lock James Horwill and veteran flanker David Croft the prime candidates with Sam Cordingley (calf) and Latham sidelined.

Like fullback Latham, Holmes has a tough task to return this season after a floating piece of bone was extracted in the surgery but has aimed for a comeback in the penultimate match against the Crusaders.

Apart from his determination to bolster the Reds, Holmes knows he can virtually kiss his Test hopes good-bye if he misses the Waratahs clash.

"If I think there's a chance I can be back for one or two games at the end of the season then I'm going to push it," he said.

"International footy is a long way away at the moment. If I do get a chance to play I have to do my best, otherwise I'll have to focus on next year.

"If I can get back for those last two games and get in some good performances anything can happen."

In a decision that could seal Blake's future, coach Phil Mooney indicated Coutts' greater experience at loose-head would win him a rare start ahead of the former Test tight-head.

Blake, expected to head to France later this year, has been unable to win his starting place back after losing it to impressive rookie Dayna Edwards after the heavy round three loss to the Brumbies.

"Over the next three or four weeks with Greg out it's a good chance to give Rodney a start at loose-head but I think we'll probably lean towards Couttsy this week," he said.

Holmes' loss is also a major blow to the 10th-placed Reds hopes of exploiting the Force's shaky scrum for an upset, but Mooney is backing Coutts to aim up.

"Losing Holmesy is disappointing because he's been playing good footy but one thing about this year is when guys have been given an opportunity they have all stepped up."

Mooney is sweating on the fitness of bench players Ed O'Donoghue and Charlie Fetoai with youngster Rob Simmons and Chris Siale waiting in the wings.

He cleared five-eighth Quade Cooper to play despite copping a painful knock in a nasty collision with flanker Tasi Luafutu at a bruising training session.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP