GIANTS coach Nathan Brown will give Batley Bulldogs the ultimate respect when the teams do battle at Mount Pleasant in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Super League Huddersfield face the short trip to their Kirklees rivals on the weekend of May 7/8 and will be red hot favourites to beat their Co-operative Championship hosts.

But cautious coach Brown will not be taking anything for granted and has the greatest respect for the progress the Bulldogs have made under former England coach Karl Harrison.

“Every Super League side wants to get to Wembley, and we are no exception,” said Brown, whose side were beaten by holders Warrington at the stadium in the 2009 final.

“But the key to achieving that goal is clearly taking one step at a time, and our main priority has to be beating Batley.

“As a Super League club we know we will go into the game as favourites. But Batley have started the season in pretty good shape and will go into the tie with absolutely nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous.

“I have also seen how far they have advanced in two years under Karl, who we know will have them fired up.

“As a result we know we will have to go there with the right attitude, and hopefully we will go there with some good form in Super League behind us.”

Batley boast several ex-Giants in their ranks, including Alex Brown who last year joined the Bulldogs on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell from the Galpharm.

The winger has been in great form, and his former Giants boss knows he is a man to watch.

“Alex is a good kid and a very dangerous player,” added Brown.

“He showed that in the trial game between ourselves and Batley at the start of the year and he is one of several players we will have to watch.

“I am sure it will be a great occasion for Batley, with whom we have a very strong relationship.”

St Helens v Sheffield Eagles, York v Hull KR, Featherstone v Lezignan, London Skolars v Widnes, Leigh v Catalan Dragons, Wigan v Barrow, Leeds v Crusaders, Batley v GIANTS, Dewsbury v Swinton, Halifax v Bradford, Hunslet v Salford, Rochdale v Castleford, Gateshead v Harlequins, Warrington v Keighley, Hull v Oldham, Doncaster v Wakefield

Ties to be played on the weekend of May 7-8.