Queensland are reluctant to risk scrum anchor James Slipper for their Super Rugby title tilt after scans revealed a syndesmosis injury which could cause just as much heartache for the Wallabies.

Reds medics and ankle specialists are studying the scans to decide on the best course of action for Slipper who suffered the high ankle strain in Saturday's 19-11 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.

The rising Test prop would be a massive loss for the Reds and he looked long odds to feature in the play-offs after arriving home on crutches and with his foot in a moonboot on Sunday.

But coach Ewen McKenzie has not yet given up hope of a remarkable recovery for Saturday week's (July 2) semi-final, especially considering Slipper's previous healing powers.

The 22-year-old returned two weeks early from a shoulder problem mid-season and quickly found the form that saw him become Australia's bolter of 2010 to play 14 Tests and end the year as starting tighthead.

But McKenzie is wary about pushing the "tricky" injury and jeopardising Slipper's Tri-Nations and World Cup hopes, especially if complications result in surgery.

"Syndesmosis injuries are quite complicated as it is difficult to diagnose exactly," the Reds coach told AAP. "The problem with them is how long is a piece of string?

"I've seen them over the years and they can come on quickly or they can drag on for five months.

"They all act differently and sometimes the only way you know is to go in and have a look (with surgery) but if you have a look that's down time straight away.

"If there's a chance of him playing we don't want to make it worse and if he can't play, he can't play, and there's other implications as well (for the Wallabies)."

Still, Slipper is desperate to line up in the Suncorp Stadium semi-final and is hoping he can follow in the footsteps of fellow Test prop Benn Robinson who bounced back quickly from his own syndesmosis suffered last month.

The interest from Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is also compounded by the fact he's already lost another leading tighthead candidate for the start of the Tri-Nations with Sekope Kepu (knee) sidelined.

The good news for table-topping Queensland, who are looking for a maiden play-off win following home semi-final Super rugby losses in 1996 and 1999, is Test lock Rob Simmons has been cleared of ankle damage.

Also softening the potential blow of Slipper's loss is the form of reserve prop Greg Holmes who produced an excellent 74-minute display off the bench against the Chiefs.

Holmes played 13 Tests at loosehead from 2005 to 2007 but has proven himself to be a versatile scrummager on both sides of the front-row since being usurped by Ben Daley.

"It's a tough gig for him stepping into the tight-head role but he's been doing that for two years now," McKenzie said. "He doesn't have vast experience there but he's an experienced player.

"Good props adapt and they find a way and his contributions in general play have been terrific."

Winger Luke Morahan is the latest wounded troop making a last-ditch bid for a return, pushing the hamstring strain he suffered in the penultimate round.

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