Now-running Holmes eyes starting place
TOM Holmes says his recovery is going well so far and he is enjoying pre-season at the Huddersfield Giants.
“I’m loving every minute so far, can’t thank the club enough for having faith in me. Obviously for me it’s been rehab, rehab, rehab so far.
“I managed to get running two weeks ago and everything’s been fine with that, so I’m pleased. Hoping to get running more leading up to Christmas, so hopefully leading into January I’ll be training with the first team,” he said.
“Running last week was a massive boost for me, made me feel on top of the world. To do more and more every week is massive.”
After progressing well in his recovery, Holmes has an eye on a place in the starting 13 in 2019.
“I want to push for a starting spot now, after a year in the Championship last year prior to being at Castleford, I want to prove myself so getting into full time training again will help with that,” he said.
Holmes is impressed with the depth and quality of the Giants squad and wants fans to know the club has high expectations for the new season, beginning on 1st February against Salford Red Devils at the John Smiths Stadium.
He said: “The teams looking really good, every week we seem to look at video and there’s a lot less to improve upon. The coaching staff have been really good, and they know their aim – we want to be in the playoffs and we’re not looking at anything less.
“When you look at Uate and Frawley, we can’t be looking for anything less. We’ve got great depth as well, which bodes well.”
The former Castleford half-back enjoyed a starring role at Featherstone in 2018, leading to his move to Huddersfield. He believes that his time in the second-tier has helped him grow as a person and a player and thinks he’s gelled well into the Claret and Gold well in his short time at the club.
He said: “I think I’ve settled in well. Going to Featherstone, I learned a lot about myself, to be more open and enjoy myself more at training.
“I wanted to be part of the squad, rather than being a young player.
“When I came here, after a few weeks I felt part of the team. Now the whole squad is back, I feel like I’m part of the Huddersfield Giants.”