Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds could be in line for a shock return when South Sydney takes on old enemies the Roosters on Friday night.
Reynolds suffered a fractured jaw in his side's 42-10 Round 1 win - also against the Tricolours – and was expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
But the South Sydney No.7 is recovering ahead of schedule, and according to his rather coy coach Michael Maguire, is a chance to play this week after just one month out of the game.
The injured Rabbitohs halfback was practicing his goal kicking and short-kicking game at Wednesday's training, but will have to get through contact work if he is to return this weekend.
"He trained yesterday with us so he's coming along really well…we'll have to wait and see," Maguire said.
"I'll go down and talk to the physios and the doctors. We'll wait and see, but Luke Keary and Cody Walker have been training really well this week.
"He's looking in great shape. He's trained really well. He's been running around with the boys and obviously looking forward to getting him back when the time's right."
His return would come as a shock given the initial diagnosis, but Maguire says that figure was more precautionary than anything.
"That chatter was around, but ultimately with a jaw it's sort of around the six week mark. That was always the case, but I guess the performance unit put out eight weeks just to make sure," the Rabbitohs coach said.
Reynolds had been in scintillating touch, setting up two tries, forcing two repeat sets and slotting four goals before being forced from the field in the 58th minute of the 32-point Round 1 win.
In his absence, 2014 premiership-winning five-eighth Luke Keary and previously uncapped Cody Walker have steered Souths around the park in style to have them sitting in fifth spot on the ladder after five rounds.
Walker has made the most of his opportunity in the NRL, setting up four tries, scoring one himself and making just one error five games into his career, while Keary has set up five tries and scored one in a polished four-game output.
Maguire said having three top quality halves to choose from is a blessing, and that the star trio had helped bring the best out of each other on and off the field.
"I'm very fortunate to have Cody and Luke Keary playing really good footy, so when the time's right, we'll go through that," Maguire said.
"But at the moment we're really focussed on what we need to do on Friday. Luke and Cody have been doing a great job for us and we're hoping they can do it again on Friday.
"I think all three of the boys have been good for each other. The way they train and the way they get around, they're good mates. There's a lot of banter between the three of them as well which is always good fun."
