Western Force centre Ryan Cross believes continuity in team selection will help the Super 14 side topple the ladder-leading Bulls in Perth on Saturday.

The Force were ravaged by injuries early in the season but hope to go up against the Bulls with the same starting line-up that was unlucky to lose to the Waratahs 14-10 last week.

Winger Scott Staniforth (quad) and second rower Sam Wykes (corked thigh) injured themselves in that match and must pass late fitness tests to take their place against the unbeaten Bulls.

Prop-cum-hooker Pek Cowan (shoulder/neck) is a chance to return but may have to settle for a spot on the bench after the promising second-up performance of Ryan Tyrell.

The Force are yet to notch a win this season but Cross said confidence remained high amongst the new-look squad.

"I think this week we have pretty much got the same team," Cross said.

"That gives us confidence that we'll be playing together again so hopefully we can build some combinations and getting the Bulls on their first away week will hopefully be a bonus.

"We've got some consistency at selection, which is a bonus for us ... and we are hoping it pays off for us.

"We have got a pretty good record over the years against the Bulls (winning two of four games),

"We've beaten them over there once (in Pretoria).

"So there's no reason why we can't beat them this week ... I think we should be confident."

Assistant coach Richard Graham said flanker David Pocock (finger) and No.8 Richard Brown (shoulder) could return within three weeks but utility back Cameron Shepherd (quad) is making slow progress.

"We haven't put a time frame on him due to his injury," Graham said of Shepherd.

"Quad injuries are one of those things that can linger but he's working hard with the medical staff.

"It's one of those injuries we don't really want to rush back, we (want to) look after him so when we get him back we get him back for a long time."

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