Huddersfield Giants boss Luke Robinson has provided a recruitment update as the club remain keen to bring in bodies to help cover their huge injury toll.
The Giants have been somewhat successful in their quests for additions over the past few days, with Leeds Rhinos trio Presley Cassell, Ned McCormack and Riley Lumb all joining the club for the next week, however the club were hoping that more players could have been through the door this week.
Robinson, alongside assistant bosses Leroy Cudjoe and Liam Finn, were forces to put the boots back on in training over the last week or two so that the senior side had enough people involved in training, highlighting the extent of their injuries.
There was even a concern that Cudjoe, who only retired at the end of last season, would have to take to the field had the club not been able to bring in reinforcements.
Speaking to the press to preview Huddersfield’s trip to Bradford Bulls tomorrow night, the former half-back revealed the latest in their efforts to try and bring players through the door.
Robinson was unable to bring anyone in for the club’s Challenge Cup game against Hull KR, which they lost, but have been more successful this week in making signings.
“I cast a little bit of a net the week before, knowing the situation we’re in and seeing if any players were going to be available. With it being a Challenge Cup, there wasn’t many takers. Not many people wanted to, cup-tie their own players and rightly so.
“There was a little bit of natter that we could protect to get in the week after [this week], so we followed that up.
“Leeds, I think they played a reserve game. They had a stacked reserve team the week before. Really good side. But I think they won by 90-odd points, so, probably no good for them, really.
“We got in touch with Leeds. They’re three really good players. They are only young. But I wouldn’t even say there’s bags of potential there. They’re already really, really good players.
“To add them into a depleted squad is very timely for us. I guess it’s tough for players to come in at short notice.”
Given that they are initial one-week loans, Robinson has confirmed that all three men, Cassell, McCormack and Lumb, will make an appearance against the Bulls.
Huddersfield Giants nearing returns for a number of key men
Whilst only Zac Woolford is fit enough to return this week, the Giants boss could be welcoming back as many as four players next week, in what would be brilliant news for the side.
“I wouldn’t ever count my chickens,” explained the boss. “At this moment in time, we’re just going week-to-week, game-to-game and just trying to work out what’s the best thing for the team and for the club at this moment in time.
“We have got some potential reinforcements coming back next week, which obviously, again, it would be lovely to have because they’re part of the leadership group.
“They’re experienced players. It’s not nailed on yet, but the likes of Cluney [Adam Clune], Swifty [Adam Swift], Niall Evalds, potentially Connor Wrench.
“You have four players there that potentially could be back for next week, which would obviously be a massive boost to our squad.
“Don’t get me wrong, they do come back, they normally take a few games to get back in the swing of things. They’ve been out for a fair few months, but I’m not looking too much beyond Bradford, if I’m honest.”
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