TONY Smith is not ruling out a return for Simon Grix in Warrington colours.

Wolves celebrated the 10 years’ service of the popular back-row forward in the win against Leigh Centurions at the weekend and Smith says that Grix would be welcomed back on to his playing roster in the future if the 30-year-old is able to fight his way back to the levels required.

The former Ireland international, who has not played since the sickening spiral fracture of both the tibia and fibula in his left leg in a Wolves win at St Helens 16 months ago, is this year set to make a playing comeback in the Championship with hometown club Halifax, where he is also coaching the reserve team.

Smith, who now has Grix on his backroom coaching staff, said: “It’s unlikely to be this year because firstly it’s about physically getting back and then it’s getting back to the standards that Simon will be happy to play at.

“He’s at the right place for both of those. If he gets back and playing well for Halifax this year, and it sets him up to rejoin Super League, my arms will be open if Simon’s arms are too.”

Grix’s focus is short term though.

“It’s just about one game for me,” he said.

“And that’s all I’m thinking about - get right, play one game, and from that one game I’ll know everything I need to know. I’ll know where I’m at and I’ll be able to judge where I think I’ll be able to get to as well.”

Grix is in the final straight after a long road to recovery and he is not going to rush things.

“In the past couple of weeks I’ve got involved in everything as a player at Halifax. I started straight-line running to get used to running again, I kind have got that nailed and went on to running with a change of direction and then getting involved in ball work.

“It’s been great just getting the ball back in my hands to be honest.

“Reality is that Halifax do not have the resources that Warrington have and that’s why it’s just taking a little bit longer. I’ve waited long enough, I think, so a few more weeks or a couple more months, whatever it might be, will have to be taken into account.”

Although he is missing being a full-time player with Wolves, the University of Bolton student says he has found it rewarding on the coaching side.

“It’s been a big change. It’s been enjoyable too finding things out about myself and having to do things for myself a whole lot more rather than being looked after in the way that I was with Warrington,” he said.