Joseph said yesterday the signing of Delany as first five-eighth cover was hopefully not far away but there were still a couple of issues to work through.
"In terms of our preparation for the game and his preparation for the game he has been outstanding. He has played for the Highlanders before and he knows quite a lot of the players here before. So in terms of a fit, it is perfect," Joseph said.
"Ideally we would have him involved this weekend. But everyone has to do their time and so he will probably have to start off the bench."
Joseph said it was opportune Delany became an option after the cupboard was bare in New Zealand.
First five-eighth Chris Noakes was struggling with a groin injury, which had an impact on his goal kicking.
The more he practised goal kicking the worse the injury got, but not practising meant he was not as sharp as he should be.
Joseph was confident Delany would be up to speed in terms of the match fitness, fresh off a season in Japan with the Panasonic Wild Knights. He said centre Tamati Ellison had jumped off a plane from Japan and played in a couple of days, so Delany should be the same.
One of the men Delany is to replace, Colin Slade, has returned to Dunedin after suffering his season-ending injury in Canberra.
Slade has started his recovery but has declined media interviews.
The Highlanders take on the Stormers in a top-of-the-table clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night, and Joseph is likely to only make one change to his side which beat the Rebels last week.
Hooker Andrew Hore is back after having last week off and should come into the side to replace Jason Rutledge.
The Highlanders have the bye after the Stormers clash, and Joseph conceded the break would be welcome.
"If we win this match we are going to be in good stead going forward with the bye coming up. The boys will have a good week off and deserve it.
"If you said at the start of the season you will win five out of the first seven than you'll be reasonably happy. To go six out of seven would be great."
