Reds flyer Peter Hynes is in a race against time to recover for his team's 'must win' all-Australian Super 14 derby against the Western Force in Perth on Friday.

Reds coach Phil Mooney said he only fully appreciated Hynes' workload when he was not available — in the 26-50 loss to the Chiefs at the weekend.

"The work that Peter does certainly would have been nice to have him," Mooney told the Australian media.

Hynes injured his knee at training last week and he had an arthroscopy last Thursday to remove some floating bone.

"It's a seven to 10-day rehab, and by the time we play the Force [on Friday] it will be eight days, so I suspect he will be a bit short," Mooney said.

Apart from sweating over the fitness of Hynes, Mooney will this week have to find a way to turn things around for his team, following their 50-point hammering at the hands of the high-flying Chiefs.

Mooney said the derby match was a must win for both sides, highlighting the forward battle as a focus point for the Reds.

Despite the convincing loss to the Chiefs, Mooney said the Reds showed strength to fight for a bonus point and would be sticking to the same expansive game plan against the West Australians.

"I guess we're both at a point in the season where we both need to win this game," Mooney said.

"All the teams are beating each other, both of us are at the bottom but both can jump back into the race with a win this week."

The Chiefs piled on six tries against the Reds to win 50-26 at Suncorp Stadium, scoring all but one out wide.

Mooney stood by his decision to blood league convert Rod Davies and rookie winger Blair Connor — who was tactically substituted at half time — against the Chiefs' rampaging wingers Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga.

"It was a pretty harsh learning experience for them, we knew from the start when you pick young guys that there is always the potential they can get shown up," Mooney said.

"But everyone has to start off and I'm happy picking them."

The good news for the Reds however is that Ben Lucas is expected to recover from a recurring rib injury that saw him miss the second half of the Chiefs match.

The news will be well received at the Reds camp, as replacement halfback Will Genia still has two weeks to serve for a dangerous tackle on Sharks' flank Keegan Daniel.

Prop Greg Holmes will also undergo a fitness test on a shoulder injury during the week, but says he is confident of playing.

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