“We’re going to be calling a few of our players back” – Ian Watson opens up on Huddersfield Giants injury crisis

Last night was a bit of a low for Huddersfield.

There is no shame in losing to the Champions but being nilled by 12 men is certainly disappointing as things get worse for Ian Watson with Jermaine McGillvary and Tui Lolohea injured.

It is these injuries which have the Giants stretched thin and Huddersfield’s brilliant season beginning to stall.

Watson opened up on this admitting the severity of Huddersfield’s availability crisis and he noted that the Giants may even be forced to recall the players they’ve sent away on loan as young as they may be with the squad down to its last 17 players.

“We’re going to be on the phone about calling a few of our players back,” Watson told BBC Sport, “Them players are quite young who are out on loan and out on dual reg.

“But we need to get some troops back on the field otherwise it’s going to hurt us but as you can see from that first half, we don’t lack effort and the attitude to the approach.

“The guys who have come in have had a good dig but that level is probably a bit too high for them at this time.”

He then identified a number of these players by name as Huddersfield look to add some more depth back into the squad something that was admirable just mere weeks ago and is now no longer there: “Fenton, George Roby, Kieran Rush and John Luke Kirby. We’re going to have to potentially bring a few of these back.”

🗣 ‘We're going to be on the phone about calling quite a few of our players back.'

🏉 @Giantsrl coach Ian Watson set to recall loans and dual-registrations with club down to last 17 players.

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— BBC Sport West Yorkshire (@BBCWYS) July 16, 2022