Herman Mostert

Cape Town - Western Province received good and bad news on the injury front as they started their preparations on Monday for a crucial Currie Cup clash against the Sharks in Durban.

Eightman Nick Koster was stretchered off during the 34-20 loss to the Free State Cheetahs over the weekend and it was announced on Monday that he has a soft tissue neck injury, which could see him miss the trip to Durban.

Loose forward Tertius Daniller (abscess) and centre Johann Sadie (haematoma to his quadricep) are further injury worries for coach Allister Coetzee.

However, with the dark injury cloud hanging over the team - Coetzee confirmed 17 injuries this Currie Cup season before last weekend's game - Province will welcome the return to fitness of some key players.

Loose forward Pieter Louw, prop JC Kritzinger, flyhalves Isma-eel Dollie and Kurt Coleman have all recovered and are available for selection this weekend.

Province face a tough task over the next couple of weeks after failing to collect any points in their last two outings - against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld and Free State at home. The losses have seen them slip down the table to fourth spot - only four points ahead of a resurgent Blue Bulls team.

After their clash in the Shark tank this weekend, they travel to Johannesburg to tackle the table-topping Golden Lions before concluding the round-robin phase with a home game against the Pumas.

Five points in their last fixture against the Pumas will be non-negotiable, but for them to reach the semi-finals they will in all likelihood need to pick up at least one win on their two away trips. And if recent form is anything to go by - with the cumulative effect of all their injuries - it will take a monumental effort to break their 10-year Currie Cup trophy drought in 2011.