Coach Trent Robinson believes Mitchell Pearce will one day return to the Sydney Roosters but has denied rumours it will be as a player next season.
The 12th-placed Roosters have struggled for attacking spark this season, with a shortage of playmaking options doing them no favours.
A knee injury has prevented Sam Walker returning to the side after the halfback was dropped in April.
Robinson has long been a fan of carrying a utility on his bench to offer extra punch in attack, with Connor Watson, Drew Hutchison and Mitch Aubusson among those to have assumed the role.
Reports emerged earlier this month Pearce could be lured back from French Super League side Catalans in a similar capacity, with the 34-year-old previously telling SEN he was open to a move back to the NRL.
Pearce played 238 games for the Roosters between 2007 and 2017, including the 2013 premiership victory, but Robinson put paid to an immediate return to the league.
"There's no truth to that," he said.
"He's a lifelong Rooster ... (but) the Catalans are playing good footy, they're on a bit of a roll over there.
"He'll be back at the Roosters doing something at some point. We're looking forward to that when he's done at the Catalans."
Walker is out of his leg brace and closing in on an NRL return after little more than a month out of action.
The 21-year-old is in the process of strengthening his injured knee and has resumed running at training.
Robinson does not yet have a timeline on the player's return.
"What form (the comeback) takes, I haven't thought about that yet," Robinson said.
"But once he's ready to go, he'll be in.
"We've had lots of discussions over the last couple of months. We're looking forward to getting him right and then getting him back in there."
