KEITH MASON has targeted a Giants return against Harlequins on Sunday week.

The 29-year-old prop suffered torn ligaments in his left knee during the Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat at Castleford a month ago.

It was an injury that was expected to keep him sidelined for at least six weeks.

And the former St Helens front-rower is confident that if his rehabilitation continues to go as well as it is right now, then a Galpharm run-out against Quins in 11 days’ time could be on the cards.

“All being well I’ll get the nod to play,” said Mason (left), who suffered a different injury to the same knee earlier in the season.

“The rehab’s going really well and I hope to be back training with the rest of the boys at the start of next week, which should give me enough time to prove I deserve to get my place back.

“I’ve never been a good watcher, and it’s been even tougher in the last few weeks with the defeats at St Helens and Salford.

“These are the times when you’re really desperate to get out there and help the boys, but you’re totally powerless to do anything about it.

“I just hope it’s something I won’t have to experience again this year.”

Although the Giants have lost their last two top-flight fixtures, they remain fourth in the Super League XVI table, with Mason still believing his side is capable of a strong finish.

“I want to return and have a strong end to the year, and I know we can also finish the season strongly as a side,” he added.

“We know the key will be to start working hard for each other again, and if we do that we’ll take some beating.”