Football enthusiasts were caught off guard when Melbourne Storm announced that Jahrome Hughes, who has been dealing with an injury, would be part of the team facing Cronulla in Friday night’s NRL grand final qualifier.

Hughes has only played one match in the past two months, breaking his arm in a round 27 return from a shoulder dislocation.

Despite his injury, the former Dally M Medal winner has convinced coach Craig Bellamy and the Storm’s medical staff that he is ready to compete in the high-stakes match at AAMI Park, as Melbourne aims for back-to-back grand final appearances.

Hughes, who recently underwent surgery and has been using a padded brace, vigorously tested his injured arm on Tuesday. Following these efforts, he was approved to join the squad for the upcoming game.

Despite the huge news for Storm fans, skipper Harry Grant said Hughes still had a few hurdles ahead.

Storm’s Grant mentioned, “He’s been progressing well in training, meeting all required benchmarks, but there’s still quite a journey ahead as the week progresses and builds up.”

Footy identity Matty Johns described Hughes as ‘a huge X-factor’ on SEN radio.

‘If he takes his place in the side, then you’re fairly confident he’s going to get through the 80 minutes,’ he said.

‘From what I hear they’re going to line Nelson (Asofa-Solomona) up against him at training. He’ll have some pretty decent fitness tests going on.’

Footy fans are astonished about the halfback’s return – with many not sure if it will be worth the gamble.

Critics on social media expressed concern, with one user commenting, “Melbourne Storm is risking too much by fielding Jahrome Hughes this Friday. His shoulder and arm haven’t healed fully. It’s a risky move by Bellamy.”

Another person questioned, “Is two weeks after surgery really enough for Jahrome Hughes to play without any complications? It seems too soon for proper recovery.”

Jonah Pezet, who starred at halfback in Melbourne’s qualifying final win over Canterbury, is ready and waiting should Bellamy make a late switch, with Hughes himself saying he wouldn’t jeopardise his team if he wasn’t 100 per cent.

‘I’m confident … it’s the medical team that’s going to have to see where I’m at, but in saying that I’m not someone that’s going to put the team under pressure by coming back early so I’m going to be making sure I’m right to go,’ Hughes said.

‘If I’m fully fit I’ll definitely put my hand up but I don’t want to be going in at 50 per cent – it’s not worth it, especially with having someone like Jonah there, being able to fill the void.’

As well as Hughes, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been included after recovering from a head knock that ruled him out of the Bulldogs match.

Second-rower Shawn Blore, who has been sidelined for the past month with a fractured larynx, has been named on the interchange bench with initial fears his season was over.

Melbourne are wary of a Sharks outfit that has won nine of their past 10 matches, thumping minor premiers Canberra in the semi-finals to send them packing from the premiership race.

Grant said Cronulla may have been ‘flying under the radar’ heading into the finals but they had made a statement with their recent form.

‘They’re such a star-studded team – big powerful outside backs, powerful forwards and just their spine just combining and really creating off the back of that,’ he said.

‘They’re playing some really good footy and they have been for a long period of time.

‘They probably flew under the radar … and sometimes that’s a good thing as you just knuckle down and get about your business and I think they’ve really done that this season, so we’re expecting a firing Sharks team.’