Fruean has been out for a lengthy period with heart problems but he has played a few club games and was declared fit by the Chiefs medical staff this week. He will start at centre for the Chiefs, who have had a bucketful of different midfield combinations this season, injury having dictated many selections.
Aaron Cruden will captain the team from first five-eighth and Augustine Pulu will start the match at halfback, having recovered from a knee injury which had threatened his season.
All Black openside flanker Sam Cane has a knee injury and is unlikely to be seen for the Chiefs again this season.
Former Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh will start the game on the Chiefs bench.
The Highlanders will name their team today, but they are unlikely to go away from their usual starting side.
All three All Blacks have come back into the squad and coach Jamie Joseph expects them to be right for the match.
Loose forwards Nasi Manu and Shane Christie had been bothered by injury niggles but have been cleared to play.
Lock Tom Franklin and hooker Brayden Mitchell are set to start their first games of the season after impressive efforts in the match against the New Zealand Barbarians in Invercargill last week.
Highlanders v Chiefs: FB Stadium, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders (probable): Ben Smith, Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Ma'afu Fia, Brayden Mitchell, Kane Hames. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Chris King, Matias Diaz, Josh Bekhuis, Lee Allan, Fumiaki Tanaka, Hayden Parker, Phil Burleigh.
Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Dwayne Sweeney, Robbie Fruean, Bundee Aki, Tom Marshall, Aaron Cruden (captain), Augustine Pulu, Liam Squire, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Jamie Mackintosh, Josh Hohneck, Matt Symons, Tevita Koloamatangi, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tim Nanai-Williams, James Lowe.
