Michael Maguire, coach of the Brisbane Broncos, has set a firm deadline for Adam Reynolds to demonstrate his fitness before the team's final home game of the season.
The retiring player plans to conclude his career at the end of the season, and with the Broncos out of the finals contention, the match against the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night could be his last chance to wear the Broncos jersey at home.
The 36-year-old has been out of action due to a calf injury and hasn't played since the club's 30-6 defeat to the Newcastle Knights in Round 22.
Two weeks ago, Reynolds acknowledged the possibility that he might not return in time, despite his eagerness to play in front of the home fans one last time.
"It will be tough to get there, but I'll be doing everything possible," he shared with the media.
"We've done a lot of hard work to get to where we've been since I arrived, so to get back out there with the boys one last time would be a fairy tale.
"I've had a fantastic career; it's something I'm extremely proud of.
"If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be."
Currently, the experienced playmaker has 323 NRL games to his name and is eager to add one more before he retires.