With the loss of skipper Craig Moore to a calf injury, all eyes will turn to hardman Danny Tiatto as the Queensland Roar attempt to flex their A-League muscle against a battling Newcastle Jets on Friday night.

The second-placed Roar, unbeaten for eight weeks, have this week had their worst lead-up to a game in months, with Moore ruled out despite good signs at training earlier in the week.

Scans early in the week showed no major damage for the 31-year-old defender, and after a light run on Wednesday the Socceroo stalwart was hopeful of taking the pitch against the Jets.

But he failed to complete training on Thursday, and joined the electric Michael Zullo (thigh) on the sidelines for the round 15 clash.

Moore's withdrawal, coupled with the suspension of recently returned Andrew Packer after his red card against Sydney FC last weekend, means the Roar's rock-solid backline of recent weeks will undergo a mini-makeover for this match.

The Queenslanders haven't conceded a goal for four weeks, but coach Frank Farina believes his defensive replacements, Josh McCloughan and Ben Griffith, are capable of maintaining that record.

"We'll obviously miss Craig's experience, but we've got cover, there's no doubt about that," he said.

"We've been reasonably lucky of late in that we haven't lost many players apart from suspensions, but this is where your depth is tested and I certainly believe that of the 22-man roster I've got, any one of them can step into the team."

Another set to make a step up this week is midfielder Tiatto.

The 34-year-old came off the bench last round after spending three weeks sidelined with a groin strain.

Friday's match could end a frustrating run for Tiatto, who has played just 43 minutes of football in six weeks due to suspension and injury.

"This week he'll be a lot better off with the time he had on the park last week, and obviously the longer time in terms of recovery, but Danny's a big chance of starting this week and I'm sure he'll be fired up," Farina said.

Van Egmond, who has been battling with the Jets back office this week for some new talent, said he expects Tiatto to be a major player for the Roar on Friday.

"Danny's probably going to take on a leadership role for the Roar with Moore out," he told AAP.

"It's been well documented the career he's had, and the experience he brings to the team will be valuable for them.

The fourth-placed Jets have battled goal-scoring woes this season, with Joel Griffiths their sole weapon in front of goal.

They will again be without the injured Mark Bridge, while defender Steve Laybutt is serving a suspension.

Van Egmond was again coy about the role under-fire Brazilian Mario Jardel will play for the Jets, with the possibility he will come off the bench to take on the Roar defence.

The Roar have never beaten the Jets at Suncorp Stadium.

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