Leigh Centurions could launch a bid to bring prop Greg Richards back to the club from London Broncos amid uncertainty over what division they will be in next season.
The Centurions are rock-bottom of Super League without a win in 16 games after being elevated to take the place of Toronto Wolfpack.
That makes them odds-on favourites for relegation, which looks set to go ahead despite suggestions it could be suspended for a second year running due to the impact of the pandemic.
Cumbrian Richards, 26, spent two seasons with Leigh in 2017 (Super League) and 2018 (Championship) before heading to the capital after the Broncos won promotion to the top flight.
He came through the ranks at amateur club Barrow Island before a five-season stint at St Helens which included an appearance in the 2014 Grand Final win over Wigan at Old Trafford.
Leigh have already landed NRL duo Sam Stone and Jai Whitbread from Gold Coast Titans on contracts through to the end of next season.
Meanwhile, ex-Wigan, Hull KR and England second row Joel Tomkins will be at the Centurions in 2022 after leaving Catalans Dragons, while halfback Joe Mellor has agreed a one-year contract extension.
Leigh lost 46-10 at home to Leeds on Friday, and interim coach Kurt Haggerty said: “I thought up until 60 minutes our efforts as a team were fantastic.
“But we run out of bodies, steam and energy. We were down to one substitute in the last 30 minutes.
“We were competing, staying in the cycle with Leeds and if we’d kept some bodies, it would have been a different scoreline for sure.
“We were playing a very good Super League team and I think they appreciated the effort that went into the game.”
Haggerty is now preparing for Sunday’s home game against Salford.
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