Jack Wighton's possible switch from fullback to Canberra's halves has been given a tick by Raiders NRL veteran Sia Soliola.
The 26-year-old has been training at five-eighth as the Raiders look to fill the void left by Blake Austin's off-season departure to England.
Wighton, Canberra's first-choice No.1 since 2015, featured in the halves in nine games during the 2014 season.
The versatile Soliola says a switch in roles for Wighton might be just what the Raiders need as they aim return to finals for the first time since 2016.
"I like the idea of having Jack there because, standing in front of him when you've got the ball, he has such a presence in the defensive line," Soliola told reporters on Wednesday.
"Everyone can see how he can hit."
Soliola said Wighton had returned to Raiders training in top shape after missing the end of last season.
The NRL banned Wighton for 10 games for his role in a late-night drunken brawl while celebrating his birthday last February in Canberra's CBD.
The 130-gamer faced court in November when he was handed a two-month suspended jail sentence.
"Just having Jack back is going to be a huge boost for us," Soliola said.
"He was great when he was out (of the team) as well but he knows what this club is about and it means a lot to him and and he means a lot to us."
If Wighton does shift to partner Aidan Sezer in the halves, it creates a conundrum for Raiders coach Ricky Stuart about who to play at fullback.
Stuart is reluctant to move young star Nick Cotric to No.1, especially given fellow winger Jordan Rapana is out injured for the first half of the season.
It leaves Michael Oldfield and Brad Abbey as contenders to slot into the role Wighton has made his own at the Raiders.
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