INFLUENTIAL star Stanley Gene is desperate to help get the Giants' play-off bid back on track at the expense of former club Hull at the McAlpine on Sunday (5.30).

The popular Papuan missed Tuesday's Super League clash at London, which Huddersfield lost 32-16, because of a shoulder injury sustained during the last-gasp 22-18 loss at St Helens.

Those two defeats mean it is crucial the Giants take two points against Hull for the first time since a 26-17 win at The Boulevard in June 1999.

And the presence of stand-off Gene, who joined Huddersfield from the Humbersiders in 2001, having earlier played for their arch-rivals Hull KR, would be a major boost.

The 29-year-old is under intensive treatment from the Giants physio team.

And while coach Tony Smith will wait until Sunday morning before finalising his selection, his decision to allow another half-back, Graham Holroyd, to move to National I club Doncaster on a month's loan would suggest he is hopeful of Gene being in the frame.

Holroyd played scrum half in London, allowing Paul March to take Gene's stand-off berth, but on Sunday, will line-up at Rochdale after Doncaster moved quickly to replace Paul Mansson, who has joined Hull KR.

Giants hooker Gareth Greenwood is already on loan at Doncaster.

Huddersfield's first choice in the No9 shirt, Darren Turner, is also in the treatment room battling the ankle injury which kept him out against London, when ex-Hull man Steve McNamara filled in.

Smith is also monitoring prop Mick Slicker, who picked up a back injury down at Griffin Park, as he plots revenge for the 34-6 defeat at Hull in May.

"There are a number of factors which are clouding things at the moment, so we'll wait a while before firming things up," said Smith, whose brother Brian was a popular former Hull coach.

"Stanley is understandably keen to play, but we'll have to ensure he doesn't let his heart rule his head."

As in previous years, Hull supporters will be segregated in the North end of the John Smith's Kilner Bank Stand (nearest the Panasonic Stand)

Ticket holders can gain entry to any part of the McAlpine for the match.