It was a case of first the good news then the bad for Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak as he sifted through his casualty ward to find a team to take on Canberra at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
Skipper Darren Lockyer has been selected to make his return from a knee injury, while veteran forward Tonie Carroll and rugged full-back Karmichael Hunt are also due back.
That's the positive news.
Still missing in action are half-back Peter Wallace and forwards Sam Thaiday and Nick Kenny.
After watching his injury-hit team slip out of the top eight in recent weeks, Henjak welcomed the return of three key players.
"The ones that are back will help," he said.
"It would be nice to have the others back as well but three is enough."
"I'll take anyone at the moment."
The Raiders also have a host of changes, including Josh McCrane's return at half-back in place of the injured Marc Herbert.
Captain Alan Tongue moves to hooker with Nigel Plum named at lock, while Travis Waddell has been named on the interchange bench.
McCrane said of his promotion: "My form's been good for (feeder club) Souths Logan and I’m looking to bring some enthusiasm to the team this weekend."
"It’s great to get another chance at first grade this season and hopefully I can try and stay there for the rest of the year."
Former Test prop Luke Bailey has been shuffled back to the second-row as Gold Coast attempt to overcome the loss of Ashley Harrison (injury) and Anthony Laffranchi (suspension) for Friday's visit from North Queensland.
Matt White will start in the front-row while Brad Meyers is the new lock.
The luckless Brett Anderson - scorer of two tries against the Sharks last start - makes way for the return of Greg Inglis to the Melbourne side for Friday night's huge clash with NRL leaders St George Illawarra at Kogarah.
Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson and Steve Turner are also back for the Storm
Luke Priddis has been added to a 19-man Dragons line-up
Roosters skipper Craig Fitzgibbon returns from a cheekbone injury as his team prepares for a difficult assignment in Newcastle on Saturday night
The match pits Roosters coach Brad Fittler against the man who will replace him next year, Knights boss Brian Smith.
Steve Price will be missing when the Warriors tackle Penrith at CUA Stadium on Saturday night, opening the way for Evarn Tuimavave to finally crack it for his 100th NRL game.
Russell Packer joins Sam Rapira in the starting front-row while Tuimavave is part of a four-man interchange bench that includes utility Lance Hohaia and second-rowers Lewis Brown and Ben Matulino.
Five-eighth Blake Green has been given first shot at filling Trent Barrett's shoes for the rest of the season as Cronulla prepare to overcome yet another injury setback ahead of Sunday's meeting with Parramatta at Toyota Stadium.
Barrett joined the long list of unavailable Sharks when he fractured his cheekbone in last Saturday's loss to Melbourne.
Skipper Paul Gallen's return from a shoulder injury has been delayed a week.
The Bulldogs get back workaholic lock David Stagg for Sunday's important meeting with the improving Rabbitohs.
The Dogs are keen to show last weekend's heavy loss to the Eels was an aberration.
"Good teams always respond well to difficult circumstances and this squad has already proven it has the ability to do that on a number of occasions this year," coach