Boom youngster Jordan Petaia could yet make an appearance in Super Rugby AU after almost five months on the sideline.
Petaia has been working his way back from a shoulder dislocation he suffered in training ahead of the side's February Super Rugby clash with the Jaguares.
The 20-year-old went under the knife and was given a rough five-month return timeline, which at the time spelled the end of his domestic season.
With the coronavirus shutdown and the launch of Super Rugby AU this weekend, Reds coach Brad Thorn is hopeful Petaia will be clear to play in the final half of the season.
Queensland play matches against the Waratahs, Rebels and Western Force before their bye week and Thorn said he hoped Petaia would be in the mix after that.
"We've got a bye in about four weeks, we're hoping he might be ready in some way post that bye to get some footy," he said.
"That's a positive, it's been a challenging couple of years for Jordan and everyone knows what a talent he is.
"You've got to make sure you do the right thing by him and by his body and make sure we look after him and when he's ready to come back at the right time then that's the time, so we'll see."
Petaia has had a terrible run with injuries since bursting onto the Super Rugby scene in 2018.
The utility back has battled foot and hamstring injuries in his first two Super Rugby and Wallabies seasons but this is his first major upper body injury.
The Reds take on the Waratahs in Super Rugby AU on Friday July 3 at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 7:05pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy a Kayo subscription here.
