Wests Tigers interim coach Brett Kimmorley says Luke Brooks is an outside chance of returning from injury before the season's end, refusing to weigh into any debate about his future at the club.
The playmaker injured his calf at training on Thursday and will be replaced in the halves by Jock Madden when the Tigers meet Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Brooks is contracted with the Tigers until the end of next season but is yet to guide the club to the finals in nine seasons as first-choice halfback.
He was linked with a move to Newcastle at the start of the year.
Kimmorley said he would not entertain theories about what the injury could mean for Brooks' future as a Tiger.
"(The injury) is really disappointing for him. I've enjoyed how he's played the last few weeks," he said.
"I'm not going to speculate about whether he's played his last game or not. That will be other people's choices."
The club estimates Brooks will miss six weeks with his injury but even if he does not play again this season, Kimmorley says he will have a role to play in the Tigers' bid to avoid their first wooden spoon as a joint venture.
"Hopefully we get a bit of luck and the calf heals quickly and we get a chance to see him," Kimmorley said.
"If not, I'll certainly use him in some regards around helping Jock Madden and helping our halves to understand game management and kicking game."
Kimmorley stood by his decision to move Madden to the halves rather than specialist halfback Jackson Hastings, who has been playing lock for the past fortnight.
The Tigers hoped moving the experienced Hastings into the middle of the park would reignite their attack by providing a link between the middle forwards and the edge players.
The plan appears to be working; the Tigers have scored more points in the two weeks since the move than in the four before it.
"I like the style of footy we're playing," Kimmorley said.
"I'm hesitant to make too many changes just for the sake of making changes.
"I know Jacko is a halfback but Jock Madden will come in and do a great job for us."
