Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said yesterday Buckman was making progress from a neck injury which had ruled him out all season.
It was hoped he would be back in a few weeks but he was likely to play a club game first.
There had to be caution around neck injuries, so the Highlanders would take time with the injury.
With Buckman improving, Mauger said the Highlanders had decided to release midfield back Terrence Hepetema to the Blues.
Hepetema had trained well and been a good member of the squad, but there was more opportunities for the midfield back at the Blues so they granted him a release.
He sat on the bench last week for the Blues and will take the same position for the Auckland-based side tonight in Sydney.
Hepetema was brought into the side before Christmas to replace the injured Thomas Umaga-Jensen, who had a shoulder operation.
Umaga-Jensen is back training but will not be available to play again until after the June break.
Winger Tevita Li was due to have his scan on his injured foot yesterday. He suffered a mid foot sprain in the match against the Bulls and flew back to New Zealand earlier this week.