Daley ready for Reds return

If you thought Israel Folau was peeved, imagine the Australian Rugby Union trying to stop Ben Daley from returning to Super Rugby next week.

The prop has declared himself fit and available for the Reds after being sidelined since the round-five loss to the Sharks in South Africa with a knee injury.

Daley laughed off a tongue-in-cheek suggestion he might find himself told to sit out the round-11 clash with the Hurricanes on April 26 in a similar manner to Waratahs star Folau being held back from taking on the Western Force last week.

“Israel Folau’s a different proposition to Ben Daley I think,” he said.

“Hopefully they don’t rule me out because it’s been a long time coming for me.”

In the time Daley has been sidelined the Reds’ campaign has stagnated, with three losses from four matches including back-to-back home defeats against the Force and Brumbies.

Despite that poor run, Daley says the Reds can still make the finals and he’s hoping this weekend’s bye will allow the entire group to prepare for a make-or-break push over the last stretch of the season.

“I’m coming in ready to rip and tear and obviously give the boys a bit of support,” he said.

“The break they’re having this week will help to recharge the batteries and having a loss going into the bye, you want to get back out there as soon as possible.

“They’re going to come back full of motivation anyway and I’m going to add to that.”

Reds coach Richard Graham denied the franchise was on the hunt for an overseas recruit to bolster their backline options.

He said winger Dom Shipperley (hip) and five-eighth Mike Harris (achilles) could both be fit to take on the Hurricanes, ensuring he’ll have enough options for the remainder of the campaign.

“If Harris and Shipperley are back there’s no need,” Graham said about recruiting another player.

“We’d need some pretty bad news on the injury front before we go to that space.”