The Western Force will be without star fullback James O'Connor as they attempt to break a frustrating Super 14 hoodoo when they tackle the Crusaders in Perth on Friday night.

The Crusaders remain the only team the Force are yet to beat since joining the competition in 2006, with two draws and a 29-24 loss in Perth the closest John Mitchell's men have come.

But the Force's chances of breaking that drought suffered a blow on Wednesday when star Wallabies back O'Connor was ruled out with a shoulder injury sustained in last week's 38-17 loss to the Blues.

"It's about a week but we might manage it for two weeks to give him the right opportunity of repairing it," Mitchell said of O'Connor's injury.

"He's got a long (international) season ahead so it's important we manage it early.

"It's a ligament or something. It's been scanned and it's pretty inflamed and needs some rehab.

"Another hit on it (before it heals properly) and it could be serious."

Mitchell said it was important for his team's future to break their duck against the ladder-leading Crusaders.

"I think it's really important for the club to move forward," Mitchell said.

"If we are serious about setting a winning culture it's important this scalp is taken as soon as possible.

"The Crusaders have been the benchmark of this competition for a long time and we've always had pretty exciting contests against them.

"We look up to them to a point but we'd like to play well against them."

Mark Bartholomeusz will switch from the wing to fullback to cover for O'Connor.

Nick Cummins returns to the starting line-up on the wing and halfback Brett Sheehan, who missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, also returns to the run-on side.

Hooker Ben Whittaker and lock Ben McCalman are others to come into the side.

The Crusaders welcome back All Blacks five-eighth Dan Carter from a hip injury and Robbie Fruean returns at centre after missing last week's match due to a family bereavement.

Kieran Read has recovered from a shoulder injury to start at blindside flanker, while Ben Franks replaces Wyatt Crockett at loosehead prop.

Force squad: Mark Bartholomeusz, Nick Cummins, Mitch Inman, Ryan Cross, Cameron Shepherd, David Hill, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Ben McCalman, Tim Fairbrother, Ben Whittaker, Pek Cowan. Res: Nathan Charles, Matt Dunning, Tom Hockings, Sam Wykes, Justin Turner, Sam Harris, Dane Haylett-Petty.

Crusaders squad: Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Kahn Fotuali'i, Thomas Waldrom, Richie McCaw (capt), Kieran Read, Chris Jack, Brad thorn, Owen Franks, Ti'i Paulo, Ben Franks. Res: Dan Perrin, Wyatt Crockett, Sam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Andy Ellis, Dan Bowden, Colin Slade.

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