Former Bradford Bulls and St Helens prop Paul Anderson, now on the coaching staff at Huddersfield Giants, could be forced out of retirement at the age of 36.
The ex-Great Britain front rower has been drafted into Huddersfield's 20-man squad for Friday's crucial engage Super League trip to Warrington Wolves, a match that could have a big bearing on the jostle for play-off places.
The Giants are without Paul Jackson and Steve Snitch through injury while a third prop, Keith Mason, is serving a one-match ban.
Anderson has not played since St Helens' Grand Final victory over Hull at Old Trafford last October but Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp is ready to pitch him back into Super League action.
"Paul has volunteered a couple of times this season to turn out for the senior academy when we've been a bit short, said Sharp. "Up until now, we've put him off.
"But, with the way things are shaping up for Friday night, we can't rule him out playing at this stage.
"He's still kept himself very fit and, because he trains with the boys on a daily basis, he obviously knows all the moves and all the calls.
"Playing him would certainly not be the biggest gamble in the world."