Smith shouldn't be rushed on retirement decision: Hynes

Cameron Smith's teammates would be happy if everyone let their skipper decide his future in his own time, according to utility back Nicho Hynes.

The 423-game veteran is close to a decision on whether to extend his 19-year NRL career into a 20th or call it quits at the end of this season.

Hynes said no one at the Storm was telling him to hurry up in order to remove any potential distraction from Melbourne's finals run.

"I'm not tapping him on the shoulder. I'd be happy for him to play another 10 years," Hynes said.

"We try and give him his own space. I don't think it's appropriate that we're sitting here talking about it.

"For what he's done in the game he deserves his space to make his decision."

After missing three games with an AC shoulder joint injury, Smith is back into training ahead of Sunday's match against Manly at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

"He's slow transitioning this week into training drills so we'll see how that goes along the week," Hynes said.

Coach Craig Bellamy is expected to name Smith in his Tuesday team announcement, especially considering he lost back-up hooker Brandon Smith (broken jaw) in last Thursday's 14-0 loss to the Eels.

If that plan fails to come fruition, it could mean young Easts Tigers hooker Aaron Booth would come into calculations.

He deserves his space to make his decision

Nicho Hynes on Cameron Smith

"He's a young fellow looking for an opportunity. We've also got some utility players who can jump in at No.9 like Tommy Eisenheuth. They are decisions for Craig to make," Hynes said.

Another will be whether to start Hynes at No.6 with Jahrome Hughes (groin) and Cameron Munster (knee) still on the casualty ward list.  

"I would be good to do if Craig gives me the nod. I played in the halves my whole life until I came here," the 24-year-old utility said.

"It would be nice to jump back in the halves and have a full game there, but we'll see how we go."

If the plays in the halves, the 188cm Hynes won't have much difficulty looking over the heads of his direct opponents.

"Everyone keeps telling me I'm pretty tall for a half," he said, adding he'd modelled part of his game on another two towering five-eighths in former great Brad Fittler and Rabbitohs legend John Sutton.

"Brad Fittler was a taller, bigger body at five-eighth so I enjoyed watching him play. John Sutton was also a bigger boy. I actually enjoy watching footy and watching all the halves."