Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith says fellow Storm legend Billy Slater is nervous about his latest comeback and he has every right to be.

Slater has played just a handful of minutes in the last couple of seasons and another injury would almost certainly end his career.

“I caught up with Billy over a cup of tea. There’s no doubt he’s got some nerves there getting back into the game,” Smith told Fox Sports.

“We are talking about a guy who has had consecutive shoulder reconstructions, not played since round one 2016.

“And it wasn’t minor surgery. It was an operation that could really affect his life after football.”

Slater’s final training run will be on Wednesday ahead of the Thursday night showdown against fierce rivals Brisbane at AAMI Park.

“I want to see Billy Slater back as much as anyone else. It would be great for rugby league and the fans,” Smith added.