Paul Sculthorpe could recover from his Achilles injury in time to play again this season after a scan showed he has ruptured the tendon high up the ankle.
Sculthorpe might only be out of action for four months
As a result the St Helens captain does not need an operation and could be fit again in as little as four months.
That means he could play in the Super League Grand Final on 13 October, should Saints make it to Old Trafford.
"The fact I don't need surgery is great news and I'm already focusing on my rehab," he told the Sun.
"Obviously I'm gutted at being out again, especially because I feel I was playing as well as I have in ages."
Instead of surgery Sculthorpe, 29, will have to wear a special protective boot for eight weeks to keep the foot pointing downwards, before starting rehab.
St Helens are the defending Super League champions and currently top the table.
Sculthorpe is currently in talks over a new contract with Saints, who paid a then world-record fee for a forward of £370,000 when they signed him from Warrington in 1997.
He only returned to action in March after six months on the sidelines because of a knee reconstruction.