Ballarat Miners spokesman Jimmy Hunt confirmed yesterday the point-guard was in the mix for a Miners’ double, starting with a road trip to Mt Gambier on Friday night.

Bruce has missed the past eight Miners’ games recovering from a torn quadriceps he sustained against Dandenong on June 1.

He is expected to fly in later this week from Cairns, where he has been receiving treatment for the injury under his National Basketball League club Cairns 

Taipans.

Hunt said it was uncertain how many of the Miners’ remaining five games Bruce would play this SEABL season – he would be monitored game-to-game – but the Miners were hopeful to have him in action against Sandringham at the Minerdome on Sunday, on the back of the Mt Gambier road trip.

The Ballarat Subaru Miners will not play finals but Bruce will be an important inclusion as the Miners’ bid to break a 10-game losing streak.

It has been a rollercoaster year for the Miners, who are still yet to train with a full roster this season.

Bruce’s return should complete the line-up for the first time.

Ash Constable and Kris Blicavs, both in their first SEABL season, have carried starting guard duties with Bruce sidelined and Anthony Fisher unavailable with Australian under-19 international 

commitments.

Each has impressed in how quickly they stepped up and adjusted their games.

Injury also cost Bruce a chance to trial for international duty.

He was forced to turn down an invitation from new Australian Boomers head coach Andrej Lemanis to a selection camp of emerging basketballers for the World University Games.

The Miners and Ballarat Rush have two SEABL home games left in the regular season.

Rush prepares to also meet Sandringham on Sunday, in a renewed bid for a top-two spot and home 

final.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au