Brumbies confident David Pocock over eye injury

Brumbies are confident over star flanker David Pocock's availability for the Super Rugby quarter-finals.

The Australian Conference leaders are well-placed for a spot in the last eight of the competition, but still need a strong showing in their final group game against Western Force, with Waratahs breathing down their necks.

A fractured eye socket has kept Pocock out of action since the Wallabies' first-Test defeat to England in June, but he returned to training this week sporting protective head gear.

Coach Stephen Larkham suggested that Pocock had been keen to get back on the field against the Force, but will be held back for a potential run in the Finals.

"He needs another week of recovery," Larkham said on Friday.

"He looked pretty confident and comfortable out there but we're giving him every chance to be right.

"We've still got a few things to tick off with David Pocock and Jordan Smiler (knee), but if we get through then hopefully we've got those guys next week."