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Muller returns to action

Durban - The Sharks returned to training after this past weekend's bye and were able to take stock of their player resources after a gruelling eight weeks of Super 14 rugby competition.

The good news is veteran lock Johann Muller is set to return to action after missing the team's last two games with a fractured finger, and is likely to replace Bulls loan player Wilhelm Steenkamp in the match-day 22.

However, it will be interesting to see whether he comes straight back into the starting line-up, with Steven Sykes and Alistair Hargreaves having formed an effective combination of late.

Hargreaves, a former SA U19 captain, suffered a blow to the leg during the Sharks' last match against the Reds, but is expected to be available this weekend.

Similarly, John Smit appears to be over a shoulder injury that also saw him leave the field against the Reds, and he should be able to lead the team out against the Lions at Coca-Cola Park this Saturday.

On the down side, though, flanker Keegan Daniel is still battling with a shoulder injury and is unlikely to feature once again this weekend after having had to watch the last couple of games from the sidelines.

The season-ending finger injury to No 8 Ryan Kankowski will force a re-shuffle in the loose-trio, and it is likely that Willem Alberts will start at the back of the scrum with Jean Deysel and Jacques Botes pairing up as the flankers.

Saturday's game kicks off at 17:05.

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