The Western Force have set their sights on winning all four of their remaining Super Rugby derbies in an ambitious bid to finish second in the Australian conference.

The Force currently sit fourth in the Australian conference, 12 points adrift of the second-placed Waratahs ahead of their SFS showdown on Saturday night.

Although the Force's finals hopes are all but over following their slow start to the season, coach Richard Graham was confident his team had the ability and form to overtake the Brumbies and Waratahs by season's end.

"There's the old the cliche you've got to look after yourself, and in this instance we can," Graham said on Thursday.

"We've got the four other teams (to play in the Australian conference) and it's very important we win all four of those games.

"There's no doubt everyone loves to play the Tahs.

"(It's a) good opportunity for us this weekend. We need to go there and win.

"If we do that we'll look after ourselves as our season progresses."

Force fullback Cameron Shepherd has been ruled out of the Waratahs match due to a minor knee complaint that has hampered him all week.

But Shepherd's absence has been offset by the return of outside centre Mitch Inman, who has recovered from the elbow dislocation he suffered in round two against the Sharks.

Inman returned to club ranks last week but lasted just three minutes before copping an accidental boot to the head from a team-mate at the breakdown.

The 22-year-old was unable to return to the field after the blow and required more than 20 stitches to fix the gash.

"He just got tackled and one of his own team-mates kicked him in the head," Graham said.

"But it's nothing that's going to be a hangover or an issue this week.

"(It was) quite amusing if you're there watching, but if you're Mitch (you'd be) a little more embarrassed than anything."

Inman, who will join the Melbourne Rebels next season, enjoyed a breakout season with the Force last year and will be a welcome inclusion to a side that is back to near full-strength following the recent returns of David Pocock and Mat Hodgson.

"It (Inman's dislocated elbow) was a really nasty injury. Everyone that was there and saw the dislocation of his elbow were sickened by it," Graham said.

"But he's worked hard, the medical team have been outstanding in getting him back and he's been ready now for two weeks."

Utility back Pat Dellitt moves from outside centre to fullback to cover for Shepherd, while flanker Hodgson returns to the run-on side at the expense of Ben McCalman, who has been named on the bench after a heavy workload this season.

NSW thrashed the Force 31-3 when the sides met in Perth last month.

But with Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu (hamstring), captain Phil Waugh (hamstring) and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (concussion) all sidelined, the Force fancy their chances of putting a dent in NSW's finals hopes.

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