Huddersfield Giants to start pre-season without key men and new signings

Huddersfield Giants have started pre-season, but a number of their key men have not yet made it into the side.

Ian Watson took to the Giants website to discuss the situation concerning injuries and overseas players.

“We’ve a number of surgeries that have gone well but will prevent or put back start dates for pre-season for a few of the lads,” Watson said.

“Luke Yates had his pectoral done a while back now and he’ll look to return in December with modified training and rehab and then all systems go in January.

“Young Jake Wardle is a similar time frame after his shoulder operations and there is great hope that Chester Butler can follow a similar time frame after such a dreadful run of luck ever since I’ve been here and before that too.

“He is running progressively and will hope to join the first team squad for some sessions initially and then fully in January is the aim.

“Will Pryce took a knock in the Knights game and he’ll be looking at a full return towards the end of November rather than next week.

“Jon Luke is another similar to Chester who has had no luck at all and is in rehab following his knee operation and whilst it’s too early to put dates in his return he will, I’m sure, have February in mind to rejoin the squad fully.

“Sadly Aiden McGowen is going to miss a large portion of the pre-season with a back issue that needs rest as much as rehab which is a blow to him and us as he finished the season so strongly at York and we are all excited to see him push on.”

Watson also revealed that two of his new signings will not be at the John Smith’s Stadium until next week.

A couple of the overseas lads will be later in due to Visa legalities and we’ve given Theo Fages and Chris Hill an extra week or so as their seasons ran longer than ours.

“Overall though I feel we’re in a good spot and there will be some physical testing this week both aerobically and in the gym to see where all the lads are following their breaks and then the full tough stuff will start next Monday for real.”