The team is sitting on the bottom of the table, winless after four games, and needs a victory quickly, to give its season a kick-start.
Prop Tony Woodcock, who was a late scratching last Friday night against the Chiefs because of a tight hamstring, had a run yesterday and has improved, although a decision is not likely until tomorrow.
If Woodcock does not make it, Jamie Mackintosh will come into the reckoning, as he has recovered from a back strain, and trained yesterday.
Skipper Andrew Hore, who suffered rib cartilage damage in the loss to the Hurricanes on March 15, went for a run yesterday and, although he is unlikely to play this week, there are some encouraging signs of progress.
No 8 Elliot Dixon injured his ribs in the game in Hamilton, as did electric wing Kade Poki, while Ma'a Nonu is still troubled by a sore knee and did not train yesterday.
Joseph said there was some positive news in getting players back and, after looking at the tape of the loss to the Chiefs, he was not too disappointed.
''To me we won everything about the game except on the scoreboard ... the guys are trying really hard and showing plenty of desperation out there. The thing is performances are improving every week but the one thing is we are just not winning.''
The Highlanders dominated the first half of the game against the Chiefs - held up over the line twice, and having a ball knocked down which, if it had gone to hand, would have been a try.
The team did not appear to get the rub of the green, and referee Jonathon White did make some perplexing calls at times, but Joseph said the calls should even themselves out over the course of the season.
''Everyone is still looking in the mirror. I think what we are saying is with that slightly better execution from us we could have scored two or three tries more. We can only control what we can control.''
Joseph will be keen to get Poki right for this week, as he has been in fine form so far this season after being hampered by injury last year.
He has teamed up with Hosea Gear and Ben Smith to create an exciting back three, who have created plenty of chances.
But those chances have not been converted into points and the Highlanders desperately need to start scoring some tries.
The Reds have had an up-and-down season so far, but came good on Saturday night in Brisbane, beating the Bulls 23-18. Captain James Horwill made his comeback after about a year out with injury.
With the likes of Will Genia and Quade Cooper always threatening to break a game open, the Highlanders will have to be on their game on Friday night.
The Reds have not played in Dunedin since 2007, when the Highlanders won 33-17.
The only player from that game still involved in the Highlanders is veteran prop Chris King.