The Blues Super 14 rugby team's casualty ward has swelled with the addition of prop John Afoa, halfback Chris Smylie and flyhalf Tasesa Lavea.

With the Blues playing the Highlanders at Eden Park on Friday, Afoa (ankle), Smylie (torn hamstring) and Lavea (hamstring strain) have been added to a list already containing the likes of All Black lock Ali Williams, veteran flanker Justin Collins and fullback Paul Williams.

Flanker Josh Blackie (knee) and lock Anthony Boric (elbow) also trained lightly on Monday.

All Black prop Tony Woodcock remains on the uncertain list with an inner-ear infection he has been suffering from since the round-four defeat by the Sharks.

Blues coach Pat Lam says there is no timetable for Woodcock's return.

Afoa's injury will likely rule him out for several weeks, meaning the Blues are likely to be without two frontline props to take on the Highlanders' hulking front row anchored by Jamie Mackintosh and Clint Newland.

"We haven't been able to pick the strongest team for the whole year. There is always someone injured so you get used to it," Lam told the New Zealand Herald.

Smylie's injury which could sideline him for the rest of the Super 14, is another setback for Lam, who is awaiting a New Zealand Rugby Union misconduct hearing on first choice halfback Taniela Moa this week over a bottle throwing incident.

Moa was stood down for last week's match while awaiting the hearing.

North Harbour's Matt France has been drafted into the squad as cover.

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