Melbourne - Melbourne Rebels backline linchpin Mark Gerrard is set for a surprise return from injury to face the Brumbies in their Super Rugby clash on Friday night.

It was feared Gerrard had fractured his sternum in the loss to the Hurricanes, but the former Wallaby has put his hand up to play the Australian conference leaders at AAMI Park.

It's a relief for the Rebels with five-eighth Kurtley Beale (shoulder), centres Lachlan Mitchell (head) and Lloyd Johansson (finger), and flank Michael Lipman (head) joining their hefty injury list.

''He trained yesterday and he trained well, so we're very confident he'll be right to play,'' said coach Damien Hill. ''He really is very keen to play and he's got through all the training sessions and he's ready and raring to go.''

Hill said Gerrard had taken his game to a new level this season.

''He's using his skill set better than last year - his kicks for touch and place kicking is one of the best in competition.''

When Melbourne hosted the Brumbies early last season the home side was coming off a 43-0 loss to NSW - almost as bad as their 66-24 beating by the Hurricanes.

They broke through for their inaugural win 25-24.

Teams:

Rebels:
TBA

Brumbies:
15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Jesse Mogg, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Leon Power, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ruaidhri Murphy

Substitutes: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Fotu Auelua, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Henry Speight, 22 Tevita Kuridrani