Queensland will be wary about a rejuvenated Stirling Mortlock on Friday night with Reds coach Ewen McKenzie warning the former Wallabies skipper is getting back to his venomous best.

While the Rebels are feeling the pain of a growing injury crisis, the fledgling Super Rugby outfit are finding their feet and no one has showcased their early-season improvement more than Mortlock.

The Melbourne captain admitted he'd lost his "explosiveness" after the Rebels' opening-round 43-0 thumping by NSW but has since shown signs he can return to the form he was renowned for in his 80-Test career.

Mortlock has been combining nicely with fellow former Brumbies back Julian Huxley in the centres and was a handful for the Sharks defence in the 34-32 loss last Friday.

McKenzie is unsurprised the veteran No.13 has showed his true colours after being sidelined for much of the past 18 months with serious knee and back injuries.

"He's had a lot of injuries and that will sap your confidence," the Queensland coach said on Monday.

"But he looks leaner and meaner and it's only a matter of time that ... he would find form.

"He's been a brilliant player for a long time so if he was able to get through week after week it was only a matter of time before he reached his peak.

"He's in a good space now which is good for them."

Already reeling from the month-long loss of influential fullback Mark Gerrard (shoulder), Rebels coach Rod Macqueen will delay his team announcement for the Suncorp Stadium encounter until later in the week due to a litany of injury concerns.

In worrying signs, lock Alister Campbell (shoulder), halfback Sam Cordingley (hip), No.8 Gareth Delve (knee), flanker Michael Lipman (ankle) and Gerrard's likely replacement at No.15, Luke Rooney (abdominal strain), were all unable to train on Monday afternoon and are in doubt.

Hooker Adam Freier, five-eighth James Hilgendorf and versatile tall forward Hoani McDonald are also sidelined for lengthy periods while lock Kevin O'Neill is again set to be sidelined after missing the Sharks loss with a calf problem.

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