BRANDON COSTIN will be back to lead the Giants' Super League attack against Widnes at the McAlpine on Sunday (5.30).

The club's 30-year-old main playmaker has missed his side's last two games - the defeats to Hull and St Helens - with a recurrence of his back and hamstring injury.

He was close to returning against Saints for the midweek clash, which the Giants lost 50-8.

But head coach Jon Sharp took the safety-first option of holding him back until Sunday to make sure he is in the best possible shape to face the Vikings and get the club's stuttering play-off bid back on track.

Costin's return will ease the pressure on stand-off Stanley Gene, who has had to take on so much of the attacking responsibility in the absence of the Australian, as well as fellow playmaker Paul March, who is still recovering from a torn calf muscle.

Captain Darren Fleary also returns after being rested against Saints, with Sharp looking for the experienced duo to make a big difference.

"It was painfully apparent against St Helens that we missed Brandon's creativity and Darren's formidable pack presence," said Sharp.

"So it's a massive boost to have them back on board this weekend.

"Most of the attention will obviously focus on Brandon because of the stop-start nature of his injury-hit season and his importance to the side.

"We're all hoping he comes through Sunday unscathed and it can kick-start an injury-free run-in to the end of the season.

"He's looked in excellent shape in training over the past few days and has been working very hard with physio Martin Higgins to get himself right.

"We saw with the way he played against London in his last game for us two weeks ago his value to the side.

"He provided the spark that helped give us the victory, and hopefully he'll do it again on Sunday."

Sharp reports no major injury concerns as a result of the midweek clash against Saints.

Paul Reilly and Stuart Donlan were forced off the field with knocks, but are expected to play.