SHAUN LUNT would love to win the Challenge Cup with the Huddersfield Giants.
But the in-form hooker knows his side can’t afford to look much further than Sunday’s fourth-round tie at part-timers Batley Bulldogs.
Huddersfield head to Mount Pleasant second in Super League and one point behind leaders Wigan Warriors after the 50-30 home weekend win over Hull KR.
Head coach Paul Anderson also has a strong squad at his disposal – Jason Chan is the only player not available (knee) – with all 17 emerging unscathed from Sunday’s success over Rovers.
But even though the Giants are red-hot favourites to beat the Bulldogs and move a step closer to a third Challenge Cup final in seven years, Lunt doesn’t want to start dreaming about Wembley just yet.
“The Challenge Cup is a fantastic competition and everyone dreams about winning it,” said the 26-year-old.
“And having lost with the Giants at Wembley in 2009 and then last year when I was on loan at Leeds, it’s made me even more determined to go back there and win it. I’d absolutely love to do it.
“That’s always going to be at the back of my mind, and I know we have the squad capable of going all the way.
“But, at the same time, we know we can’t afford to get too carried away.
“Batley at Batley’s going to be very tough on Sunday. They’re going well in the Championship, they’ve got a coach in John Kear who’s won the Challenge Cup twice and we’ve got that slope to think about. They nearly had us in the Cup two years ago (the Giants won 28-18 after being 18-10 down) and know they have nothing to lose this weekend.
“The key for us is to make sure there’s no repeat and get the job done. Then we can start to think about games ahead.”
