EORL CRABTREE is targeting a return to competitive action before the start of Super League XVII.

The popular Giants prop underwent major shoulder surgery at the end of last season in a bid to be fit for the opening games of the 2012 campaign at Wigan Warriors on Sunday, February 5.

But with the 29-year-old’s operation having gone as well as could have been hoped and his rehabilitation going even better, Crabtree is confident of playing in at least one of the Giants’ pre-season fixtures.

Huddersfield kick off their trial programme with a trip to Castleford Tigers on Friday, January 13, before heading to Wigan six days later for Sean O’Loughlin’s testimonial clash.

The Giants then visit Batley Bulldogs on Sunday, January 22 and then head to Halifax for their Infirmary Cup clash seven days later.

Galpharm chief Brown intends to field his strongest sides for the tests against fellow Super League sides Castleford and Wigan.

But Crabtree has revealed he’d be happy to wait until the later games against Co-operative Championship clubs Batley and Halifax to make his return – if that makes more sense.

“Right now, I’m ahead of schedule, and I obviously hope that continues,” said Crabtree.

“When I first had the surgery, I’d been told I could be back for the start of the season, and I was happy with that.

“But with the way things are going, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be available for the pre-season games, including the one at Cas a week on Friday.

“Obviously, I’ll leave that to the medical staff, because they might feel I’d benefit from getting a couple more weeks of rehab under my belt. It would be pointless bringing me back a week too soon, especially when it’s a pre-season game.

“Yet whatever happens, I know the strength in my shoulder is improving all the time and that when I do return I’ll be in great shape.

“I already feel great now, so I’m feeling pretty excited about how I’ll be when I do get back out there.

“And if that’s in the games against Batley or Halifax, I’d been more than happy about that.

“I know how important it’ll be to get at least one pre-season game under my belt before the League opener at Wigan, and whatever the coaching staff say, I’ll go along with it.

“They’ve done a fantastic job getting me to this point, so I now I can trust them to do the right thing for me.”

Crabtree knows it’s going to be important for him to get back out on the Super League field as quickly as possible.

With first-choice forwards David Fa’alogo (back) and Luke O’Donnell (knee) to miss at least the first month of the season, Crabtree knows the pack will be a little light.

But he also knows that with the likes of young prop Adam Walker (pictured) and new signing Tony Tonks waiting in the wings, the Giants still have a great deal of potential.

“Because I’ve spent the past few months in rehab, I’ve not been able to see how the boys have been going,” he added.

“But from what I’ve heard it’s been going incredibly well, and the boys have been very impressed with what they’ve seen from Adam and Tony.

“These two know that with the injuries we’ve got, there’s a fantastic opportunity for them to step up, and they appear to be making the most of it.”