It doesn’t rain, it pours at Huddersfield and that’s something the Giants have continuously been reminded of this season with the latest blow being that half-back Oliver Russell is set for a long time out injured.
Russell left the field after going down untouched, something that is never normally good, in the Giants’ 30-14 loss to Bradford Bulls.
Asked about that in what was a passionate post-match presser, Giants head coach Jim Lenihan confirmed what Huddersfield fans will have been fearing.
“It sort of looks at the moment that it’s going to be either a partially torn or fully torn Achilles,” Lenihan revealed.
“He’s going to have some extended time off now. He won’t be playing again this year.”
Should it only be a partial tear then it may be up to around 12 weeks off, meaning Russell would be fit for the pre-season, however, a full tear would be over six months and possibly up to a full year.
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How will Huddersfield Giants replace Oliver Russell?
One option to replace Russell could be shifting George Flanagan into the halves though Lenihan confirmed that the full-back had been left out of the squad as a selection decision.
“I just think George is probably in a bit of a flat spot at the moment,” Lenihan admitted.
“It’s been a big six weeks for him… I just think he probably needs to freshen up a little bit, a couple of weeks won’t hurt him just to freshen up and be good for the back end of the year.”
Flanagan may not have that time to freshen up as he’ll be an option in the halves to replace the injured Russell, something Lenihan confirmed the club will look at.
“I’ll have to look at what we do for that next week. There’s obviously options for that,” he said.
“We’re pretty much nearly fresh out of halves at the moment with Cluney still out, Olly Russell’s now gone, Kieran Rush, who’s like a hooker could play seven.
“We’ve obviously got Niall, we’ve got George, but regardless, if we need to play 18 front rowers, we’ll play 18 front rowers. If we need to play 18 wingers, we will play 18 wingers.
“It doesn’t matter who takes the field. We’re going to go out in there and represent our club well.”
