Western Force prop Greg Holmes will miss the side's round four clash with the Brumbies with a broken thumb.
Holmes broke his thumb in last weekend's clash with the Reds and will certainly miss this weekend's match but it is unclear exactly how long he will be sidelined.
Holmes joined the Force for Super Rugby AU after a visa snafu ended his chances of staying on with English club Exeter for another season.
The tighthead has been among their best players in the opening weeks, adding some valuable experience to the pack coming off the bench.
Kieran Longbottom has been starting in the no.3 spot while Tom Sheminant is also an option to come into the 23.
Returning Force prop Pek Cowan said it was a blow to lose Holmes but it would give those other players a chance to shine.
"Obviously it is quite a big loss but at the same time I think we'll show our depth where we've got someone like Kieran Longbottom and Tom Sheminant still being able to come in and fill that spot," he said.
"Again, someone like Greg is one of those guys that is a massive luxury to have either in your starting team or on the bench so for us as a pack that leaves a little bit of a gap but in saying that, we've got guys like Tom Sheminant getting that opportunity to learn off someone like him and Kieran throughout his time here so far so it's a great opportunity again and it's one we have to make sure we take.
Cowan is in his first week with the team after serving his two-week quarantine period on his return from Japan.
While he said he would be ready to play if called upon, he expects this week would be too soon to be injected into the matchday squad.
"We'll find out either today or tomorrow and like I said, I've only been here a handful of days so it would be a big ask either way," he said.
"Ideally I get a bit more time but at the same time I understand we've got to put our best players forward so we'll just wait and see."
Force captain Ian Prior is also going for scans on an injured shoulder
Prior said after Saturday's match that he felt the injury was just a bad "stinger".
Jacob Abel deputised for Prior in their round three clash while former Wallaby Nick Frisby is also training with the squad.
The Force take on the Brumbies on Saturday July 25 at Leichhardt Oval, kicking off at 7:15pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here. Buy a Kayo subscription here.
