Victorian speedster James Pattinson has a grade-one hamstring strain but could return to the Sheffield Shield in two weeks.
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A MRI scan on the fast bowler revealed the strain, which occurred in Victoria's Shield victory over Queensland last Friday.
Pattinson will miss the Bushrangers' match against South Australia at Gliderol Stadium in Glenelg, which begins on Thursday.
However, as part of his workload management, he's only available for every second Shield fixture and would have sat out the match anyway.
Pattinson is aiming to return for Victoria's clash in Alice Springs against Tasmania that begins on March 13.
The injury is said to be unrelated to the back injuries that have limited Pattinson to three first-class games in the past 19 months.
Western Australia have regained paceman Michael Hogan for their crunch Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at Allan Border Field, starting Thursday.
Hogan missed last week's seven-wicket win over NSW with a hamstring injury.
He has been one of WA's most consistent bowlers this season and his return is a crucial bonus to an attack already missing star left-armer Jason Behrendorff and fellow paceman Ryan Duffield.
With just two rounds remaining, WA (41.21 points) sit on top of the table.
But with both Victoria (39.49) and NSW (37.01) within striking distance, the race for a top-two berth is set to go down to the wire.
The Bulls (30.61) are also a chance to sneak into the final.
All-rounder Jack Wildermuth is in line to become the ninth Queensland player to make his Sheffield Shield debut this season.
The 21-year-old has been included in the Bulls squad for their must-win game against Western Australia.
Former Australian under-19 rep Wildermuth's grandfather Graham Bizzell played 30 matches for Queensland in the 1960s.
He replaces Simon Milenko, who broke his thumb in last week's outright loss to Victoria in Alice Springs.
Queensland have already blooded the most debutants in a Shield season since six got the nod in 2001-02.
Speedster Luke Feldman returns to the Bulls squad after overcoming a minor groin complaint, replacing Jason Floros.
The fourth-placed Bulls must win their remaining two home games outright to make the final.
AAP
