England second row forward Brett Ferres is back in the reckoning for Huddersfield Giants.

The 29-year-old has been out of action since suffering a serious ankle injury in the Good Friday match against Salford early last month but is included in the 19-strong squad for the sixth-round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup trip to Leeds Rhinos.

He is well ahead of the original schedule set for his recovery after a challenge by Rangi Chase which earned the Reds’ mercurial stand-off a seven-match ban from the Rugby Football League.

Head coach Paul Anderson has also recalled Luke Robinson, who has been sidelined with a back injury, and prop Josh Johnson for the eagerly-awaited televised trip at Headingley (BBC, 2.30pm).

Left out are Jodie Broughton, Kruise Leeming and Oliver Roberts following the 19-0 win at Salford.

Giants: Scott Grix, Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Joe Wardle, Aaron Murphy, Danny Brough, Luke Robinson, Eorl Crabtree, Craig Huby, Brett Ferres, Jack Hughes, Michael Lawrence, Craig Kopczak, Kyle Wood, Ukuma Ta’ai, Anthony Mullally, Jamie Ellis, Jake Connor, Josh Johnson.