Talented Reds five-eighth Quade Cooper, preparing for a much-anticipated tussle with boyhood hero Daniel Carter, has indicated he wants to stay with Queensland.

Cooper said he was keen to re-sign with the Reds in a major boost for the Super 14 side who must endure an exodus of senior players to continue their upward curve next year.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans applauded the improvement the 2007 wooden-spooners have made under Phil Mooney but have another battle next season in overcoming the loss of Chris Latham, Sam Cordingley, Stephen Moore, David Croft and Rodney Blake.

Cooper, 20, is set to knock back interest from NRL clubs as well as the New Zealand Rugby Union who were interested in luring the Kiwi-born playmaker back home as they face the possible loss of All Blacks flyhalf Carter.

Carter will make his return from a serious ankle injury off the bench for the table-topping Crusaders against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Impressive youngster Stephen Brett will continue to wear the No.10 jersey with Deans admitting Carter needs to regain match fitness before winning a starting berth for the play-offs.

While Carter's return just makes the Reds' assignment even tougher, Cooper was rapt to hear the 44-Test All Black was flying to Brisbane.

"Stephen Brett is a wicked player in himself but when Carter comes on it's just another notch up," said the Waikato-raised flyhalf.

"Daniel Carter is the best flyhalf in the world by a long shot.

"Growing up I used to watch him and Carlos Spencer.

"I've been looking forward to playing against him and seeing him in real life.

"He's something special, and watching him play it looks like he has all the time in the world."

Cooper said the youthful Reds improvement and more attacking style under Mooney had put him on the edge of taking up a multiple-year offer.

"I'm very excited about the future here," he said.

"We're starting to get used to everyone's play and starting to add a bit of excitement into our rugby.

"I haven't exactly signed on anything yet but I'm very happy where things are going.

"We've improved 100 per cent from last year and it can only get better so hopefully we can get everything sorted and knocked over by the end of this week."

Deans rotated half his forward pack and named All Blacks Corey Flynn, Ali Williams and Andrew Ellis on the bench but strongly denied his side was complacent a fortnight before the semi-finals.

"We are not for a second underestimating the Reds," he said.

"The current side has been playing well too, without a lot of luck over recent weeks.

"The changes are about keeping everyone fresh, but they are also about rewarding some players who have been making a big contribution towards the team's welfare and performance."

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Kade Poki, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Sean Maitland, Stephen Brett, Kahn Fotuali'i; Mose Tuiali'i, Richard McCaw (capt), Kieran Read, Ross Filipo, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, George Whitelock, Andrew Ellis, Daniel Carter, Caleb Ralph.

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