JASON CHAN is out for three months.
The in-form Huddersfield Giants’ back-row forward suffered a full rupture of his left bicep during the 42-6 Super League Magic Weekend triumph over Bradford Bulls .
The Papua New Guinea international will undergo surgery early next week to repair the damage.
But head coach Paul Anderson already knows it’ll be mid-August at the earliest before Chan will be in position to return to action.
It’s the second time this season the 29-year-old has had to endure a spell on the sidelines, with Chan absent for two months after suffering a knee injury during the win at Leeds Rhinos on March 8.
And Anderson admits it’s a cruel blow.
"You’ve got to feel for Channy," said Anderson, who does at least have a ready-made back-row replacement for Monday’s home clash against St Helens in fit-again Michael Lawrence (he’s missed the last three games with a calf strain).
"He was showing great form before suffering his knee injury at Leeds and very quickly re-discovered that form when he returned. It was as if he’d never been away.
"So to now suffer a ruptured bicep that’ll keep him out for three months is the cruellest of luck.
"It’s now just a case of doing the right things for him to get him back playing by August, which we hope will be a very important time of the year for us.
"But we know Channy will be missed, because he’s a great player.
"The onus is on his teammates between now and August is to make sure he’ll be missed as little as possible."
Although Chan is now sidelined, Anderson has confirmed Lawrence is one of three Giants who will return to the squad to face Saints after missing the Magic Weekend win.
Also back are utility forward David Faiumu (ribs) and centre Joe Wardle, after his two-match ban.
