The Ospreys are optimistic Alun Wyn Jones will sign a new contract to keep going with the region beyond his 37th birthday.
Welsh rugby’s rock of ages penned a single-year extension to his deal with the Welsh Rugby Union and the Ospreys last April.
He is currently sidelined by a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out until after the Six Nations.
But Wales coach Wayne Pivac is on record as saying he feels it is realistic for the national skipper to target a place at the World Cup in France in 2023, while the Ospreys are positive about their former captain featuring in a black jersey next term.
“Yes. I have nothing in my inbox to tell me otherwise,” said head coach Toby Booth.
“And in the conversations I’ve had, I’ve had nothing to think it’s going to be anything but that."
Jones’ first priority will be to overcome the shoulder injury he suffered in Wales’ game with New Zealand last October.
It’s a setback that has required the lock to undergo two operations.
He has been known to confound medics with the speed of his recoveries, never more so than when he returned to lead the Lions just three weeks after dislocating a shoulder last summer. Even Lazarus would have applauded.
No one is banking on any major surprises this time, but Jones is making good progress along the recovery road.
“He is ticking along really well,” said Booth.
"The best thing you can say to Al is that you are not going to make a deadline, because he will prove you wrong.
“He is ahead of schedule but it's a long-term injury.
"For a normal person he is in front of where he should be.
"Where that return is, until you get into that space where you are back towards training and participating in some rugby, you don't actually know."
Want the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to you? Look no further.
