Winger Nick Cummins says it's mind over matter for Western Force © Getty Images

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Western Force winger Nick Cummins is confident the team's steely new attitude and willingness to work for each other will help them overcome a growing injury toll.

The Force can dare to dream of securing a maiden finals berth after Saturday night's win over the New South Wales Waratahs propelled them into fourth spot on the Super Rugby table.

However, their latest triumph came at a major cost, with scrumhalf Alby Mathewson (ankle) and winger Luke Morahan (hamstring) set to miss Friday night's clash with the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park. Fullback Jayden Hayward (personal reasons) is another unlikely starter, while prop Pek Cowan (leg) and lock Sam Wykes (ribs) will be monitored during the week.

Nathan Charles spent a night in hospital after collapsing with exhaustion after the 28-16 win over NSW, but the Force are hopeful the hooker will be fit to tackle the Rebels.

The spate of injuries comes at a bad time for the Force, who are already missing Wallabies enforcer Hugh McMeniman (collarbone), flanker Chris Alcock (shoulder) and centre Solomoni Rasolea (broken arm).

The Force were tipped to win the wooden spoon at the start of the year, but the Perth-based franchise is now shaping as the fairytale story of the season following five straight wins. Cummins is confident the team has the right mindset to be able to overcome their injury woes.

"It's not always about what the names are, but (rather) the feeling and the attitude the culture has brought on," Cummins said. "Sometimes it's just the mind - if you get that right, everyone performs together. There have been some dark times, some medieval times early on (at the Force). But we've come good now."