Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has received a boost with the news that three players will return from injury in time to face the Vodacom Bulls in their Vodacom Super Rugby match in Napier on Saturday.

With the Bulls flying out only on Tuesday, as has worked for them in the past, the Canes will be looking to exploit the short turnaround and with the boost to their squad, manage to build on their 29-26 win over the Crusaders this past weekend.

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The team received the news that loose forwards Victor Vito, Brad Shields and prop Reggie Goodes will all be fit and available for the Bulls game, after being out for the first five games of the season.

Added to this, All Black winger Cory Jane has recovered from the ankle injury that saw him miss the Crusaders game and could be added to the team.

However, there are other concerns as Tim Bateman is in doubt with a sore shoulder at the moment as well.

Hammett did indicate he was happy to have the injured trio back, but said he would have to weigh their return against the form of the incumbents in the teams.

“We’ve had Faifili in form and Jack playing out of his skin and Blade Thomson’s been playing blimmin’ well too. There will be some selection headaches, but they’re good ones,” Hammett told the Dominion Post.

“One of the question marks around that will be is it worth bringing some freshness in after seven weeks on the trot or do we go with what we’ve got, those are the selection discussions we’ll have.

“Victor and Brad are guys who are very game ready and skilful. They’re not the types of players who need a lot of football under their belts.”

If Bateman is ruled out, Hammett seemed to suggest winger Alapati Leiua, who scored the sensational match-winning try on Saturday could be the new number 12 against the Bulls.

“Timmy Bateman hurt his shoulder in about the 26th minute. He was able to play on but he’s still quite sore. He could be doubtful for Saturday I’d say.

“It would be. I thought he was exceptional last week around his organisation and being another leader and a companion for Conrad from a decision-making perspective.

“If he’s out, Hadleigh is one of our options, but Alapati playing very well and if CJ is available then he could … one of his strengths is he’s a great distributor and we know he’s pretty ferocious defensively, but we’ll have to work out what’s best for the group.”

The Bulls will only arrive in Wellington late on Wednesday night and will complete their preparation in South Africa before departing on Tuesday. They will have one training session in the New Zealand capital before the game.