Rugby: Read set to return

Some good news for the Crusaders with All Blacks number eight Kieran Read on track to face the Blues on Saturday.

Read has been sidelined of the past month with torn ligaments in a toe but assistant coach Dave Hewett says the signs are positive.

"Kieran's looking pretty good at the moment. He is on schedule to be selectable for this week and it's just a case of him getting through the medical side of things, getting through training, about four weeks worth of training and then if he gets through that he's all clear to go.''

If Read does return to the starting lineup, Hewett says there's no guarantee he will take over the captaincy because George Whitelock has been doing a good job.