GIANTS head coach Jon Sharp has paid tribute to the unseen work of club physio Martin Higgins.

With regular column writers Brandon Costin and Julian Bailey receiving intensive treatment on their respective injuries, Sharp has muscled in to outline the vital role played by Higgins.

Costin has been undergoing extra rehabilitation on his damaged hamstring in a bid to return to action as quickly as possible, while Bailey has now undergone an operation to repair the fractured cheekbone he suffered at Salford last Sunday.

It will be down to Higgins to get both men back on to the field in the best possible condition, and Sharp believes he couldn't have a better man on board to make that happen.

"I think the time really has come to give Martin the recognition he truly deserves," said Sharp.

"All the talk at Salford last week was the way Stanley Gene (pictured) returned to action just 16 days after his groin operation.

"We all spoke about how amazing Stanley had been to play like he did.

"But what I failed to do was give the necessary credit to Martin for his vital role in making this possible.

"If we didn't have Martin to help Stanley with his rehabilitation I'm convinced there's no way he would have played at Salford.

"And it's a view shared by Stanley himself.

"Martin has the respect of all the players and the utmost confidence in him, which is obviously vital in the working relationship they have with each other.

"They know that what Martin says goes, because most of the players have benefited tremendously from his treatment.

"There are examples of players throughout the squad who have made quicker than expected returns due to Martin's work.

"That makes him a very valuable member of the coaching staff and one who has clearly played a major part in our success this season. The time really has come to acknowledge those effeorts."