Salford Red Devils have handed Gary Wheeler a trial after discovering that star centre Kallum Watkins is set to miss several months through injury.
Rugby League Live can reveal that former St Helens, Warrington Wolves and Toronto Wolfpack player will link up with the Red Devils on Thursday with a view to securing a deal with the Super League club.
Wheeler, 31, hasn't played for 16 months after the demise of the Wolfpack having not signed for a new club once their withdrawal from the competition was confirmed.
But he is set to be given a chance to impress under Richard Marshall, who has made the move to bring him into the club following the devastating news of Watkins' long layoff.
The England centre suffered the injury in the heavy defeat to Warrington and scans this week confirmed the bad news, with Watkins now set to miss a significant chunk of the season. He's expected to miss around three months of action.
He has been one of Salford's star players since returning from the NRL, with his form earning the former Leeds Rhinos captain a recall to the international setup under Shaun Wane.
Fellow centre Harvey Livett also limped off with a hamstring injury while Krisnan Inu's future with the club is unclear after the club launched an investigation into comments he made on social media.
That has seen Salford turn to Wheeler, whose career has been hampered through injury.
An able goal-kicker, Wheeler played 65 times in seven seasons for Saints before joining Warrington in 2015.
He played 12 times in two seasons before joining Toronto, becoming one of the first players to feature for the Wolfpack and remaining with the club throughout their short time in the professional ranks.
Despite being on trial, Wheeler will be able to feature for the Reds during that period. He could make his debut when Salford take on Hull KR next weekend.
Salford have had a tough start to the season with just one win from their opening eight Super League games.
