Jake Connor “not happy” at lack of game time at Huddersfield Giants as loan move discussed

Huddersfield Giants are going through a difficult spell in their season, as pressure grows on the under performing side. The Giants has thrust themselves into Super League play-off contention in March. However, a run of just one win in six has seen them slide back down the table again.

Before the break for the Challenge Cup final, head coach, Ian Watson, was forced to launch a staunch defence of his position at the club, with fans critical of recent performances. Earlier in the year, star half-back Jake Connor’s attitude was criticised for his behaviour in their narrow defeat against St Helens.

Love Rugby League reported this week that Connor had been made available for loan, having dropped out of Huddersfield’s starting line up in recent games. Now, speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport, Watson has addressed the rumours that Connor is available for transfer away from the John Smiths Stadium.

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Jake Connor “not happy” at lack Huddersfield Giants game time

Speaking in his weekly press conference, Watson addressed Connor’s future with the club. He recognised that Connor was not happy to be out of the Giants’ line up and that he may need to leave the club on loan to maintain his fitness levels.

Connor’s team-mate, Matty English, recently joined the Castleford Tigers on a two-week loan deal. Watson believes that Connor may benefit from a similar deal elsewhere. Watson said:

“I don’t want to speculate on Jake at the moment. Jake;s not been in our starting team. He’s a high quality player, he’s going to want to play games, so, he’s here at the moment, he’s in the squad, he’s been training with us today. He’s been good today, he’s been good throughout the week to be fair so, we will deal with that.

“But, at some point, he’s probably going to have a little look if he’s not playing. Because, like how we want to keep Matty English fit, Jake’s not going to want to not play. He’s a player who wants to play.

“Like I said, he’s part of our squad, he’s contracted here, so there’s nothing different on that from us. He;s a player, sometimes players have successful periods, sometimes players have a little bit of down period, they’re in the team, they’re out the team, it’s kind of rugby life. Rugby is a massive roller coaster, nobody’s exempt from that.

“Overall, he’s been good, I can’t say he’s not been anything else, he’s been fine, he’s been good. Is he happy that he’s not playing? No, he’s not. He wants to play but, it’s the job, it’s the game.”