St Johns Club Whanganui Metro is expected to pack an extra punch against Feilding Yellow on Saturday as key players return from injury.
Feilding Yellow leads the Manawatu Colts rugby competition after a five-game unbeaten run and while Metro sits back tied on third with Massey White, they do have genuine excuses.
Mark Cosford, who co-coaches Metro alongside Russell Gedye, said the team had been dogged by injury in recent weeks, but predicted a change of fortunes with key players returning to battle this weekend.
"Mason Johnson and Louis Devine have been sitting on the bench watching for the last few weeks, but they will be back this Saturday," Cosford said.
"They are among the four or five players we have from last year and pretty much lead the forward pack. They have been sorely missed with the younger newcomers left to run the show.