Robbie Farah has torn his biceps at South Sydney training, but hopes to be fit to take on former club Wests Tigers in the opening round of the NRL season.
The Rabbitohs confirmed on Thursday that Farah sustained a setback at pre-season training on Monday.
He has knocked back the option of surgery in order to be right for the start of the season in March.
Any operation on the muscle usually leaves the player sidelined for at least three months.
The NSW State of Origin hooker's Friday night showdown with the Tigers and former coach Jason Taylor is one of the highlights of the opening round, on March 3 at ANZ Stadium.
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Farah left the club after being dropped at the end of last season, the culmination of a 12-month feud between he and Taylor.
The 32-year-old - originally on contract until the end of 2017 - was given permission to look elsewhere late in the 2015 season.
Despite threats to spend the year in reserve grade, he rejected the option and stayed at the Tigers in 2016.
However he was banished to the bench in round 14 and didn't play first grade again after the Origin period.
Farah signed with Souths in September on a two-year deal, and is expected to be their first-choice hooker after they released Cameron McInnes to St George Illawarra.
Farah will now work with his brother Eddie, who is the club's physiotherapist, to ensure his fitness ahead of the club's season opener.
