Giant boost as duo are set to play in clash with Widnes
the fact we have him back is good for everyone.”
However, the Giants will have to wait a little longer for the return from injury of hometown products Michael Lawrence and Leroy Cudjoe.
England Knights international forward Lawrence could be in the running to face Hull KR at the John Smith’s Stadium in the sixth Super League round on Thursday, March 15, while club captain Cudjoe may have to wait just a little longer for his first taste of match action in 2018.
“We just don’t know right now if Friday’s game might be a little bit too soon for Michael,” explained Stone.
“He is more likely to return the following week in all probability, but we will have to see how he goes the rest of this week and make a decision from there.
“Leroy is still going to be a little while.
“He is really pleased that he is progressing well at the moment, but he is still at a stage where his knee is not taking all the weight.
“We have to get him running on grass and then get down to some strength and speed work.
“After that he needs to get back to the full skills and full game fitness to be match ready.
“So he is going well but he still might be four weeks away, so it will still be a little while before Leroy returns.”
Meanwhile, the Giants were expecting to contest an RFL charge to ban forward Daniel Smith ahead of their Super League clash against Widnes.
Second rowers Smith and Wakefield Trinity’s Matty Ashurst were both handed one-match penalty notices for dangerous tackles in the derby clash.
“We can confirm Daniel has been charged, but we haven’t been given the official details,” said Giants head coach Rick Stone. “We are assuming that it is for a tackle on Keegan Hirst, but the video we have had a look at is pretty inconclusive.
“When we know the details we will make a decision on whether to contest the charge.
“Firstly we need to know the grading that is being put on the incident, and then we have to look at whether Daniel has an early guilty plea as well, but the incident wasn’t penalised, the player didn’t stay down and it didn’t go on report, so it is something a little bit different and if it is the incident we think it is we feel Hirst had lowered his body position going into the tackle.
“To be honest I didn’t notice it and there were perhaps a couple more incidents that might have brought a charge ahead of Daniel’s, but we will work from when we get official notification and we will make a decision from there.”
Centre Jordan Turner will be available for selection despite a head knock in the defeat at Wakefield. The 29-year-old was led from the field at Belle Vue after a head injury. He was cleared by the doctor, but the Giants decided not to risk sending him back on.
Giants strength and conditioning coaches Kane Daniels and Chris Stewart will be the guest speakers at today’s Senior Giants meeting. The Senior Giants will be held in the Radcliffe Suite at PPG Canalside (2.15pm). It is free to all supporters.