SKIPPER CUDJOE, PLAYMAKER GASKELL AND AUSSIE FORWARD SYMONDS ALSO ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

“We’ve had a few boys have had to have an operation,” said Stone.

“Leroy Cudjoe had a knee operation and it’ll take most of the off-season until he’s right.

“Lee Gaskell had a small surgery on his thumb which took place about six weeks ago now, so he’ll be back to full training in the next week or two.

“Tommy Symonds is returning from a knee injury, as is young Jake Wardle, so we’ll see them on the training paddock pretty soon, hopefully ready for a good season next year.”

However, it may take a little while longer for last season’s sensational Jake Mamo to be in the frame.

The 23-year-old full-back, who bagged a string of tries after joining the Giants from Stone’s former club Newcastle Knights, is working on returning after a serious ankle ligament injury.

“Jake is coming along well, he’s probably four months into a six-month injury so by the time Christmas comes around Jake should be back to full training,” explained Stone.

“He’s up to the stage where he’s doing some modified running, he’s loading his injury to a certain extent, but hopefully by Christmas or the new year we’ll see Jake hitting the ground running.”

But Stone is generally satisfied that he is looking forward to a productive pre-season.

“It’s good to see the boys get back and moving,” he said.

“Obviously it’s a bit of a modified start, most of the senior players have been in this week and we’re just managing their loads over the first few weeks and gradually building it up until we can really release them.

“It’s a time when you have to be a bit patient and get through the weeks and gradually build up the loads of the boys.

“We’ve had a few young boys in for a couple of weeks and they’ve been training really well.

“You can see what a difference a couple of weeks has made.

“The senior players will get up to speed over the next few weeks