Williams (31) has been out of the game since injuring his Achilles at the Rio Olympics in August last year.
The plan had been for the big midfielder to get back on the paddock sometime in April and coach Tana Umaga told Auckland media yesterday Williams was a chance to play this Saturday, though it depended on how he came through training this week.
The Highlanders are looking to get a couple of key players back on the field themselves.
Loose forward Liam Squire could be a chance to play having missed a month because of a knee injury, while fullback and captain Ben Smith is hoping to be over the hamstring strain which caused him to miss the game against the Rebels on Friday night.
Whoever lines up for either side will have to be aware of a much higher standard of opposition this week. More physicality and accuracy will be needed.
The Highlanders put 50 points over a woeful Rebels outfit last Friday night while the Blues finally put away a gutsy, yet limited, Force side 24-15 at Eden Park on Saturday night.
With its first bonus-point win on Friday night against the Rebels, the Highlanders have pushed up to 10th place but are yet to have the bye.
The side will have a rest next week, having Easter off and the players on leave for a week.
In other games over the weekend, the Chiefs pulled away in the second half to beat the Bulls 28-12 in Hamilton.
In Brisbane, the Hurricanes beat the Reds 34-15. In South Africa, the Lions beat the Sharks 34-29 in Johannesburg, and in Cape Town, the Stormers had a big win over the Cheetahs, 53-10.
In Sydney last night, the Crusaders beat the Waratahs 41-22.