Scans have shown damage to Queensland hooker Sean Hardman's knee is not as bad as first thought.

Then again, the Reds were due for some good news.

Queensland are near rock bottom after suffering consecutive Super 14 hidings, including last round's 39-7 thumping at the hands of Western Force at Perth.

And the history books indicate not much relief is in sight.

The Reds line up on Saturday night at Invercargill against a team they have never beaten in New Zealand in Super rugby history - the Highlanders.

But Reds coach Phil Mooney was clearly buoyed by the promising test results on Hardman.

The veteran hooker is now a chance of chiming into the team alongside returning Reds Peter Hynes (knee), Greg Holmes (shoulder) and Brando Va'aulu (hamstring).

Scans showed Hardman's knee capsule had been damaged - rather than the ligament as first feared.

"He's still got a bit of work to do between now and then, but he's a guy who in the past has been able to overcome injuries," Mooney said.

"Hardy knows his body pretty well and he's come back from injuries before, so I think if he says he's right, we'll take it on face value." Mooney will look toward the likes of Hardman to lead from the front in their crunch clash.

"Its a place in New Zealand where we haven't done too well in recent times, so were all very determined to do well," Mooney said.

"(But) at a time like this I think it's important that the players take a real role here, particularly the senior players.

"It's up to the senior guys to make sure that people are focusing on doing their job and no one else's.

"That's been (the problem) the last couple of weeks.

"We've gotten ahead of ourselves, so we just need to go back to what we do well."

Classy winger Hynes missed the last two heavy losses after having a floating piece of bone removed from his knee.

He described the last fortnight as a "wake up call".

"It's one of those things where you can play great one week and poor the next," Hynes said.

"We have to turn it around by doing the basics - tackling well, kicking well, winning field position, just the real fundamentals."

Mooney will confirm his team for the Highlanders clash on Wednesday.

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