The Huddersfield Giants could face a Leeds Rhinos side bolstered by the return of Rob Burrow for Friday night’s final round Super 8s clash at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The half-back or hooker was injured in the Rhinos resounding 50-0 Challenge Cup final win over Hull KR as he scored his side’s second try at Wembley.

However, Burrow admits he will only feature against the Giants if he has fully recovered from his quad injury.

Burrow has missed Leeds’ last three games, which have ended in defeat to St Helens, Catalans Dragons and Castleford Tigers.

Those losses have seen a four-point advantage at the top of Super League wiped out and Leeds are now ahead of second-placed Wigan Warriors on points difference.

And they arrive in Huddersfield a single point better off than the Giants and fourth-placed St Helens.

With hooker Paul Aiton out of action for the rest of the campaign with a broken arm, Burrow has been badly missed – and he admitted he is itching for a return to action.

“It is improving and hopefully I’ll be back for this week,” Burrow said of his injury.

Rhinos winger Ryan Hall insists the stuttering Leeds side are going to be ready for Friday’s “massive” Super 8s game at Huddersfield.

Hall said: “I know it obviously looks similar when you compare it to last year but we know it’s not.

“We’re miles in front of where we were then and we just need to concentrate on getting back to how we were performing earlier in the year.

“The form does give us a different mind-set to usual and it’s not a nice feeling.

“Huddersfield are finding some really good form at the moment and we’re not, so it’s a massive game for a whole host of reasons.”