Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed that he is aiming to deploy his best team against the last-placed Western Force in Perth on Friday, but question marks over the readiness of key players may limit his options.

“The guys have come off a break, so I don’t want to force unnecessary changes as yet. There are forced changes with Wicus and Joe, but we’ll go with the strongest possible side again,” Coetzee said prior to the team’s departure on Monday.

Loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw (fractured hand, eight weeks) and fullback Joe Pietersen (hip-muscle strain, three to five weeks) were ruled out of action in the aftermath of the Stormers’ 21-8 win against the Cheetahs at Newlands in round six, while second-string flyhalf Lionel Cronje is believed to be recovering from an injury suffered during a brawl outside a night club almost three weeks ago.

JC Kritzinger and Gio Aplon are expected to replace the prop and fullback respectively, while veteran Willem de Waal has departed with the team in place of Cronje, but it is in naming the backline that Coetzee may spring a few surprises when the team is announced on Wednesday.

An elbow injury saw centre Juan de Jongh pulled back from the front lines against the Cheetahs, and Tim Whitehead subsequently made his Stormers debut against Free State.

But De Jongh’s anticipated return to duty this week remains questionable after the 21-year-old was excluded from field training on Monday morning and Coetzee made a Freudian slip in discussing the Force’s attacking preferences.

“I won’t be surprised if they get the ball to Ryan Cross to attack Tim’s channel, and then try and get it wide,” he said.

Whitehead did much to address doubts over his defensive ability, reportedly completing an impressive 13 tackles against the Cheetahs.

“I’m very pleased with Tim,” added Coetzee. “People will look at his size and think that he’s defensively weak but we’re happy with the stats against the Cheetahs and he’s proven that he can hold his own at this level.”

Outside centre Jaque Fourie thrived on the increased possession that came his way but there’s no doubt that De Jongh’s superior physicality – with the ball in hand and in the tackle – better complements the Stormers’ core strength this season than Whitehead’s silky distribution skills.

The tourists’ defensive integrity may be further affected if fit-again Peter Grant fails to convince Coetzee that his goal-kicking efficiency is up to scratch.

Pietersen is the Stormers’ leading points-scorer (86) this season and his withdrawal could necessitate De Waal’s elevation into the starting lineup to take the pressure off Grant.

De Waal’s long-range boot saw him dominate the Currie Cup points-scorers list from 2004 to 2007 and Coetzee may install the three-times domestic championship-winner after admitting that the Stormers would be treating the winless Force with the same respect afforded to every other Super outfit.

“The focus should be there like it has been against the Hurricanes and Cheetahs,” said the coach. “It’s not the last-placed Force, it’s a desperate Super 14 side that’s looking for their first win, and that’s what we’re going to be up against.”

Like the Bulls, the Stormers have opted to arrive in Perth just three days before the match. The Force kept pace with the groggy Bulls to take a 12-10 lead into the half-time break but the defending champions came to in the second half, charging to a 28-15 win.

A jet-lagged Stormers side may find themselves jogging off with a half-time deficit for the first time this season and, away from Newlands, Coetzee’s charges will have their mental fortitude put to the test.

“The challenge for us is that we’re not at home, and we’ve got to make sure that we keep our composure. The senior players will once again play a major part in ensuring that we don’t panic. It will be a helluva tough match and one whereby you’ve got to chip away and build an innings.”