North Queensland Fury duo Robbie Middleby and Karl Dodd could make a much-needed return to the line-up this weekend.

The Fury have an ever-increasing injury list which includes season-ending problems for some, but may get some reprieve if the pair of defenders are included against the Central Coast Mariners this weekend.

Fury coach Ian Ferguson was not 100 percent sure that Middleby and Dodd, along with some others who are touch and go, were ready for the Mariners test but said he would sort that out at training.

''We're just going to have to try and test a few players out, make sure they're up for the challenge,'' Ferguson said.

''It's a different fitness level and intensity when you're playing a game than when you're just playing five-a-side.''

Fury defenders Shane Stefanutto and Scott Wilson will not play again this season because of serious knee injuries whilst Jacob Timpano has been unable to take the pitch because of a hamstring problem so the need for fit defenders is high on the agenda for Ferguson.

Midfielder Ufuk Talay will still be unavailable with a calf problem but striker Daniel McBreen looks certain to shake a hamstring strain he sustained two weeks ago.