Giants' Purtill is confident on skipper

Aug 12 2008 by Peter Barrow, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GIANTS caretaker coach Kieron Purtill is confident that he will have his club skipper in contention for Saturday’s home clash with high-flying Catalans Dragons.

Half back Chris Thorman was rocked by a blow to the head during Huddersfield’s impressive 30-24 win over Hull at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

The 27-year-old required four minutes of treatment after suffering the injury in a collision eight minutes from time in the Giants first success at the KC.

However, fears that he may miss the battle with the French side on Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm) due to concussion have been dismissed.

It’s a game, of course, for which Giants fans have free entry and chairman Ken Davy plans a big announcement about the club’s future.

“Chris took a bang and I think it shook his marbles up a bit,” said Purtill.

“But he seems to be okay and I can’t see it keeping him out.”

The Giants third successive victory on the road – in which Thorman kicked six out of six – means the chance of a play-off place still flickers.

But they face a Catalans side who now look destined to secure third place in Super League XIII, despite a 16-16 draw with Wigan in Perpignan on Saturday in Round 24.