GIANTS winger David Hodgson has made keeping hold of a starting spot his top priority – rather then focusing on securing a new Galpharm contract.

The 29-year-old’s four-year Huddersfield deal comes to an end at the end of the Super League XVI season.

But Hodgson, who scored the opening try in the Giants’ impressive 36-12 pre-season triumph at St Helens, has made it clear he can’t afford to worry about the future.

Instead, he knows he must devote all his attention on keeping his place on the left wing, with the likes of Jermaine McGillvary, Scott Grix, Leroy Cudjoe, Michael Lawrence, Greg Johnson and new signings Jamie Simpson – who should arrive from Australia in the next month – and Joe Wardle all capable of taking over should Hodgson suffer a dip in form.

“Everyone’s been training incredibly hard and the pre-season games have shown exactly what the players are capable of doing,” he said.

“There’s now genuine competition for places all over the field, and I’m only too aware of how important it is for me to keep up my form.

“You just can’t afford to let your form drop, because we all know Nathan (Brown) would have no hesitation in replacing you with someone else if you’re not doing your job.

“And that’s the way it should be.