Winger Denan Kemp is hoping to make an amazing NRL comeback from injury against Newcastle on Friday night with Brisbane again forced to scramble to cover injuries.

Kemp suffered three broken ribs and a collapsed lung against the Warriors less than a month ago and spent time in hospital.

He was told he would need 10 weeks on the sidelines.

"Ivan (Henjak) knows I'm really keen to get back and the boys all know I'm keen to get back," Kemp said on Monday.

"I'm close. I'd have to pass a fitness test first.

"But I'm not gong to do myself or the team any favours if I come back and I'm still injured.

"I don't want to come back too early, but I'm itching to get back on the field."

Apart from losing winger Antonio Winterstein (hamstring) for one or two weeks, Brisbane will have to get by without young hooker Andrew McCullough, who tore his right pectoral muscle against the Bulldogs and will miss at least a month.

Utility Alex Glenn is likely to take over the dummy half duties with either Kemp or Steve Michaels coming on to the wing in place of Winterstein.

The loss of McCullough is a telling one, especially with back-up No.9 PJ Marsh retiring this season, leaving the club's hooker stocks thin.

McCullough had scans on the weekend when it was feared his season could be over.

However he could be back within a month which is good news for Brisbane, already missing several key players including halfback Peter Wallace (knee), centre Justin Hodges (Achilles) and prop Nick Kenny (calf).

"We just have to get on with life until those guys get back," said Henjak.

Henjak said youngster Ben Hunt would get another crack at No.7 against the Knights after filling in for Wallace last weekend against the Bulldogs.

"We've got to show some faith in him, he's going to be our future," said Henjak.

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