Sharks coach John Plumtree knows that his team's standards will have to improve drastically if they want to beat the Blue Bulls this weekend, but they will have to do it without injured No.8 Ryan Kankowski.

Kankowski has been ruled out for the next month, but that is not the only injury worry in the Sharks loose trio with captain Keegan Daniel another doubtful starter.

Plumtree said: "Ryan Kankowski has a broken thumb and he will be out for 4 weeks, a big blow for us. Keegan Daniel rolled his ankle and didn't train today, but hopefully will be fit for Thursday. Alistair Hargreaves will be back for this weekend."

One player that the Sharks boss will be looking at to spark some forward momentum against the ever-physical Blue Bulls is strongman Jean Deysel.

"We're a better side when he's playing, that's for sure, he's a great leader and he provides a fair bit of go-forward, we'll be looking forward to him making a big influence on our game over the next two months," said Plumtree.

The Sharks coach admitted that he was very disappointed with the way the Sharks acquitted themselves against the Lions last week and explained that his side's discipline would have to improve if they want to be competitive in the Currie Cup this year.

He said: "We were pretty disappointed obviously, we had to play very well if we wanted to win and we didn't really feel like we achieved what we wanted to. Obviously discipline was a major factor but we conceded penalties, and we felt like we were going backwards the whole day.

"Discipline is a real problem for us at the moment and we have to make sure we tidy it up, that's been one of the messages for the boys this week," added Plumtree.

The Sharks' Kiwi mentor was full of praise for French playmaker Fred Michalak who has proved to be an inspired signing with young Pat Lambie on World Cup duty at the World Cup, and he revealed that Michalak has convinced him that the team needs to play a more expansive game.

"He's a big part of what we do. He's really enjoying himself, loving it here. We're going to play more French rugby this week, he's finally convinced me we need to play wide to wide to wide; there's going to be lots of entertainment," promised Plumtree.