They started training again midweek after a 10-day break, and have a game against a Southland Invitation XV in Dunedin next Friday.
The Highlanders then restart the competition with a blockbuster match against the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the last home game of the season, on June 29.
The season concludes with games against the Hurricanes in Wellington (July 6) and the Rebels in Melbourne (July 12).
With only two wins from 13 games, the chances of the playoffs have long gone and coach Jamie Joseph said the focus was on finishing the season well, starting with beating the Crusaders.
''We want to get out there and perform, and that starts by playing well against the Crusaders,'' Joseph said.
''We've had some tough battles with them over the last couple of years. We have beaten them at least once over the past couple of years so that is something to really aim for against them.''
The Highlanders have had their share of injuries this season, but the clouds seem to be lifting on that front.
First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga, who picked up a nasty high ankle sprain in early April against the Blues, is almost back to full fitness, while winger Buxton Popoali'i has come through resting a niggly foot injury.
Kade Poki has shrugged off sore ribs and Tim Boys, who has been hampered by a neck injury all season, is coming right.
It is not all sunshine, however. Midfield back Phil Burleigh and prop Chris King both had season-ending operations this week.
Burleigh injured his shoulder against the Sharks early last month and tried to rest it, hoping it would come right. That plan has not worked and he went under the knife this week, and is out of rugby for six months.
King ruptured his pectoral muscle against the Bulls last month and is also out for six months. The prop, who brought up 100 Super rugby games earlier this season, is assessing his options for next season.
All Black prop Tony Woodcock has had a bad run with injuries, the latest an abscess in his nose, which forced him into hospital in Auckland last week. He has also been hampered by a hamstring issue with the Highlanders.
Woodcock is one of five Highlanders with the All Blacks, while halfback Fumiaki Tanaka has gone back to play in the Pacific Nations Cup for Japan.
Joseph said some of the players returning from injury may play club rugby today and then get another run against the Southland side next Friday.
Otago declined to provide players for the game, citing commitments to club rugby, and Joseph said that was disappointing. Southland players in the Highlanders are likely to play for the Southland team.
Joseph said the team would be training every day from this point, and looking forward to increasing the intensity.
The Highlanders would train twice a week on Forsyth Barr Stadium for the rest of the season.
Last year, they struggled to get much training time at the stadium, leading to Joseph complaining the side was forced to train on muddy grounds outside, yet play on a firm track.
The Highlanders had addressed the issue over the off-season and had come to an agreement with Dunedin Venues Management Ltd to train more on the covered ground.
