Huddersfield Giants are expecting to welcome back winger Adam Swift to their side this week, after he has recovered from injury.
It will be the first time the ex-St Helens and Hull FC man has featured under new boss Jim Lenihan, with Swift last playing for the club in Round 11, the game before the Australian’s arrival.
When fit, the 33-year-old has been a real threat for the Claret and Gold, scoring 31 tries in 36 matches. However, the fact that he has been available for just 36 of the 79 possible matches since he joined the game at the start of 2024 shows just how difficult the last few years of his career have been.
This week poses a chance for the winger to kick-start his season, and a run of games towards the end of 2026 where he keeps up that impressive strike rate will only help Lenihan’s side.
Speaking to the press today, the Giants boss said: “We’ve trained a big day today. We’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow and if he pulls up pretty good, then we’ll be all green to go with ‘Swifty’.
“…He’s certainly got great experience. He’s a good talker, communicator on the football field. Even just training now, what he does on the field with his movements is really good and exciting. He’ll be a great addition for us against Wakey.”
As a result, it means Lee Kershaw’s loan spell is as good as over, with players coming back making him surplus to requirements.
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In terms of injuries, Huddersfield will be without Zac Woolford this week after he failed a HIA in the defeat to St Helens.
On a more positive note, a number of players will return to the field and will feature in the reserves.
One of those players is Liam Sutcliffe, who has been out for the past 14 months through injury, in what has been a torrid time for the ex-Leeds man.
Suffering multiple set-backs, the centre will finally get his chance to return, and will play against Leigh’s reserves tomorrow.
Commenting on his status, Lenihan said: “He’s become available. He’s got through all his training at this point in time. The next point is getting him some game time this weekend.
“We play some ressies this week. I think it’s him and maybe even [Sam] Hewitt might be playing some ressies this week.
“Slowly but surely, we’re getting some troops back.”
As well as those two, Tanguy Zenon will also return from injury and feature at Laund Hill against the Leopards.
