NRL: Lockyer eyes return against Warriors

Darren Lockyer is a chance to face the Warriors on Friday night. Photo / Greg Bowker

Brisbane captain Darren Lockyer is set to step up his bid to return from from injury against the Warriors on Friday with his team's NRL finals prospects on a knife edge.

The eight-placed Broncos were hoping their talismanic leader would train with them on Monday afternoon to get some indication whether he'll be able to play for the first time since he popped a rib cartilage when crunched in a tackle by Cowboys forward Luke O'Donnell 17 days ago.

The have lost the last two matches to Parramatta and Newcastle and desperately need to win one, if not both, of their remaining two games, against the Warriors in Auckland and late-charging Canberra at home the following weekend.

There have been conflicting reports about the severity of Lockyer's painful injury and whether he'll be able to get back on the field before the finals, if at all.

Medical opinion is that rib cartilage injuries require between four to six weeks to scar over and heal and there are risks associated with playing before they are fully recovered.

But with Brisbane's hopes of playing in a 19th successive finals series in danger, Lockyer is under pressure to fast-forward his return.

Lockyer would play with a protective vest, extensive strapping and possibly the aid of pain killers.

While Lockyer's presence would give Brisbane a mental boost, it would not solve the breakdown in defence that has seen Brisbane leak 74 points to the Eels and Newcastle in the past fortnight.

After plugging holes during five straight mid-season wins to go from the NRL's worst defence to it best towards the State of Origin period, Brisbane are again conceding too many points.

It's something they will need to address before Friday night's showdown with the Warriors who are one place ahead of them in seventh place but with the same plus seven points differential.

Brisbane will head to the Sunshine Coast later on Monday for a mini camp before flying to Auckland on Wednesday afternoon.

They'll have a final training session at Auckland Grammar school on Thursday when a decision could be made on whether Lockyer rolls the dice and plays.

- NEWSTALK ZB