No risking Reece as Walsh takes safety-first approach to injury return

Broncos superstar Reece Walsh will sport a special protective headgear in order to make an early return from injury in his side's third instalment of their Brisbane derby against the Dolphins.

Walsh trained in the headgear throughout Thursday's session at Red Hill, with the superstar fullback confirmed to return ahead of schedule from a facial fracture suffered in Round 3 against Penrith.

“There's no risk [to him re-injuring his face]; we want to keep his Hollywood career intact,” Walters joked after the side's captain’s run.

“There's no risk with that. He's again been cleared by all of our medical staff to take the field and if he wasn't cleared, he wouldn't play.

“[Wearing the head gear is] just precautionary, that's what he has to wear to play, so he'll wear that and listen to our medical staff again. He's got to wear that if he wants to play and so that's what he's doing.

“He'll have to [keep wearing it] until the doctors say that he doesn't have to keep wearing it. It's just a precautionary thing and a safety thing as well for him.”

The Broncos are set to have second rower Jordan Riki on board as well, despite him sending concern through the camp earlier in the week with an ankle injury.

Riki trained all through Thursday’s session and although showed some signs of being hindered by his ankle complaint, it was good news for the Broncos who are are still missing prop Payne Haas and skipper Adam Reynolds.

“At this stage, he will play, unless he pulls up sore tomorrow morning,” Walters said of Riki.

“But we expect him to play which is good news for Jordie and also good news for the team.

“Nice to have him in there, he’s a player that we rely on, particularly with his efforts and the way he goes about his work, so that'll be really important tomorrow night.

“We take players injuries very seriously and if they're not fit to play, they don't play.

“He's obviously fit to play, and our medical people are confident that he can get through the game, so he’s out there [and] it’s great to have him in the side.”

The news, however, wasn’t as good at the other end of town for the Dolphins, who officially ruled out star prop Thomas Flegler with a shoulder injury.

Already without fellow former Bronco Herbie Farnworth, who injured his AC joint in last week’s win over the Tigers, as well as Origin representative Felise Kaufusi (hamstring), the Dolphins had originally hoped Flegler’s injury wasn’t as bad as first feared.

However, as news of the representative prop’s withdrawal filtered in to Walters, the Broncos coach was more concerned with preparing his own side well, but did admit to enjoying the growing rivalry in the local derby and coaching against his former mentor Wayne Bennett.

“[Flegler being out] doesn't really change a lot what we're doing; that's just injuries,” Walters said. "A lot of teams are missing key players and he’s certainly a key player for them.

“But whoever they bring in, I'm sure will relish the opportunity of playing at Suncorp in front of a huge Broncos crowd.

“[The rivalry is] great for the game, it's been good. I'm sure all the players and all the fans around Brisbane and across Australia are looking forward to the game on Friday night."