Just as the dust was settling on the Western Force's off-field woes, the Super 14 club has been hit by an injury crisis.

Former Waratah Josh Valentine (hamstring) and fellow halfback Justin Turner (back) have been ruled out of Friday's season-opening clash with the Blues at Subiaco Oval.

And marquee front row recruit Ben Castle (neck) and centre Junior Pelesasa (hamstring) are others to have succumbed to injury.

Utility back Scott Staniforth (knee) and forward Sam Wykes (shoulder) are also still unavailable after picking up injuries on the club's tour of the UK, leaving coach John Mitchell short of options.

Chris O'Young, who has only just recovered from his own hamstring injury, will shoulder the halfback job, with star flyhalf Matt Giteau likely to switch to the role should O'Young not make it through the match.

Turner would have been O'Young's back-up but the 18-year-old hurt his back in the Force's trial match against the Reds last week with subsequent scans revealing pre-existing stress fractures.

But on a bright note for the Force, 24-year-old lock Pat O'Connor will play his first game of Super rugby since May 2006 after recovering from successive knee reconstructions.

"It's been a long time coming," a relieved O'Connor said after training on Wednesday.

"I'm a bit nervous but I think it's a good thing.

"I'm just excited to get back out there.

"There's been some pretty dark times.

"It's given me motivation.

"I won't take any games for granted, or even training sessions for granted now. I'm just happy to be back."

The Blues enter the match missing a quartet of All Blacks stars, with winger Rudi Wulf (wrist) and lock Ali Williams (back) out injured, and Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko staying home as their partners give birth.

New Blues coach Pat Lam has given former Melbourne Storm NRL player Tasesa Lavea the nod at five-eighth ahead of former Hurricane Jimmy Gopperth.

Mitchell, who was at the centre of an independent inquiry during the off-season after players and staff alike made complaints about his behaviour, said the attention had turned squarely to the season ahead.

"You can train all you like and the input's an essential part of preparing for the competition but ultimately it's like cramming for an exam, everyone's got purpose now and it's the exciting thing," Mitchell said.

Western Force: Cameron Shepherd, Haig Sare, Ryan Cross, Josh Tatupu, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Chris O'Young, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Tamaiti Horua, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Pat O'Connor, AJ Whalley, Tai McIsaac, Pek Cowan Reserves: Luke Holmes, Troy Takiari, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, James O'Connor, Nick Cummins, Dane Haylett-Petty

Blues: Paul Williams, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeva, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Tasesa Lavea, Taniela Moa, Chris Lowrey, Onasai Auva'a, Justin Collins, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (capt), Tony Woodcock Reserves: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Dean Budd, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Jimmy Gopperth, Jamie Helleur.

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