Waterford veteran Michael 'Brick' Walsh is set to be recalled by Paraic Fanning for Sunday's do-or-die showdown with Limerick in Walsh Park.
Without a championship victory since the 2017 All-Ireland semi-final, the Déise will see their summer end at the provincial stage for the second year running, if they lose to the reigning All-Ireland champions.
An unused substitute in the defeats to Clare and Tipperary, it is likely Fanning will hand Walsh his 75th senior championship appearance.
The inspirational utility man last season broke Brendan Cummins' record and the 36-year-old will stretch that figure if he starts.
"The rumour mill is Michael Walsh will make his first championship appearance of the year," said former Waterford manager and RTÉ analyst Derek McGrath, who expects Walsh to line out in the forwards.
"I think you can't understand the presence of Michael, particularly in the tighter confines of Walsh Park and what he brings to others around him,"
The return of Walsh will help to galvanise a Waterford outfit that McGrath believes will play with a freedom not observed to date this summer.
"[There is] less expectancy now on the back of two defeats, which will often make Waterford more dangerous to the opposition.
"There was so much conjecture, debate, build-up before the first game at Walsh Park. I won't say it got to the players but it got to everyone in terms of a non-performance.
"I think all those things have been eradicated and we are ready to perform on Sunday."
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