Brough-Gaskell link has potential

RICK STONE is hoping the Danny Brough-Lee Gaskell half-back partnership is one that will flourish.

The duo struck up an effectivelooking understanding in Sunday’s 16-16 Super League draw at World Club Champions Wigan Warriors.

Gaskell provided a potent attacking threat following his switch from fullback to scrum-half at the expense of Ryan Brierley, with Stone believing it has the potential to grow.

“It was a tough call to go with Lee and leave out Ryan,” said Stone, after Gaskell had scored one try and set up another for Darnell McIntosh during the weekend trip to Wigan.

“But I was encouraged by a lot of what Lee had to offer.

“He posed a potent attacking threat and has a good kicking game on him, which helped relieve some of the pressure on Broughy.”

It’s expected the new duo will work together for a second time in tomorrow’s home clash against Leeds Rhinos, when Dale Ferguson could be back after being named in the Giants 19-man Super League squad.

The Scotland back-row forward hasn’t played since the home game against Salford on February 16 because of a groin injury.

Ferguson coming into the 19 for Mikey ! " ! ! # ! Wood is the only change to the Giants’ 19-man squad, with half-back Danny Brough included, despite a national newspaper report at the weekend claiming his appearance at Wigan would be his last for Huddersfield after an alleged bust-up with head coach Rick Stone.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan is set to return to action with Leeds Rhinos after being named in Brian McDermott’s 19 man squad to face Huddersfield Giants this Friday.

Jones-Buchanan has missed the Rhinos last three games with a foot injury but could now return after being named in Brian McDermott’s squad.

Liam Sutcliffe misses out after withdrawing from last week’s win over Wakefield with a quad injury. The Rhinos are still without Stevie Ward and Keith Galloway through injury whilst Brad Singleton has five more games to serve of his suspension.

Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Lee Gaskell, Aaron Murphy, Danny Brough, Ryan Brierley, Sam Rapira, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Shannon Wakeman, Dale Ferguson, Kruise Leeming, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Oliver Roberts, Ukuma Ta’ai, Paul Clough, Daniel Smith, Tyler Dickinson, Darnell McIntosh, Alex Mellor.

Ashton Golding, Tom Briscoe, Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Matt Parcell, Adam Cuthbertson, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Carl Ablett, Brett Delaney, Mitch Garbutt, Jimmy Keinhorst, Brett Ferres, Anthony Mullally, Josh Walters, Ash Handley, Jordan Baldwinson