All Black Aaron Smith is on bereavement leave, while Folau Fakatava is also doubtful due to illness. In addition, there is uncertainty around wing Jona Nareki, who is recovering from injury.
First five-eighths Cameron Millar will be out for six weeks, but his ankle injury will not require surgery. Englishman Freddie Burns, however, has returned from injury and is available for selection, as are lock Fabian Holland, centre Josh Timu and wing Martin Bogado.
Assistant coach Dave Dillon said the bye week had helped provide a break for all involved, while a trip to Australia to play games in Perth and Sydney would be a chance for more development of the side.
"That's quite unique these days - time away in a different country…and two important games.
"We feel our game is improving, coming along, and this is a good chance to head away, and take it to another level."
Dillon said one of the benefits of the injury frustrations the side has suffered is the exposure of players who might otherwise have had minimal opportunities.
"That can only be beneficial for the squad and particularly moving into the back end of the season."
That was backed by first five-eighths Mitch Hunt, back in action after an abdominal strain, who said, "It does give guys [the] opportunity to come in and fill in, and as we've seen through our group, we've had pullouts in the last minute, guys in and out through injury. I've not been part of something like that in terms of the injury count.
Hunt said the side had performed well over the last month, and while disappointed with their loss to the Hurricanes, they were buoyed by some statistics they achieved in that game and would look to build on them.
The tour would be an opportunity to pick up two wins and improve on their seventh place on the competition ladder, and while they have beaten the Force already this year, they knew it would be a challenging game in Perth.
The Force will be desperate to get a victory in Perth to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Match details: Highlanders v Western Force, Saturday 22 April, 9.35pm NZT, HBF Park, live on Sky Sport NZ.