Giants offer way back from NRL for Saints old boy

JORDAN TURNER is closing in on a Super League return, with Huddersfield leading the chase.

The former Salford junior left St Helens last year to pursue a career Down Under and signed a two-year contract with Canberra.

But the Raiders are this weekend expected to confirm his release as they look to trim their squad to bring in other targets.

Turner, 28, has not made an NRL appearance while in Australia, although he did feature in the pre-season All Stars match.

Instead he has been turning out for Canberra’s feeder club Mounties in the New South Wales Cup.

It has left him unable to follow in the footsteps of fellow Englishmen Josh Hodgson (right, top) and Elliott Whitehead (right), who have both become integral players for Ricky Stuart’s NRL side.

Turner made over 200 appearances in a 10-year Super League career that also included a spell at Hull FC, and his versatility will appeal to the Giants. They have space on their salary cap having allowed half-back Ryan Brierley to join Toronto Wolfpack recently. Huddersfield also signed Leigh stand-off Martyn Ridyard on a month’s loan, but Turner would offer a more permanent solution in a key position for coach Rick Stone.