MICHAEL LAWRENCE hopes to return to Huddersfield Giants’ Super League action by the end of the month.

The 22-year-old back-row forward suffered ankle ligament damage during the home pre-season trial triumph over Widnes Vikings on January 20.

Lawrence required surgery to repair the damage and was expected to be sidelined for up to three months.

But after having his removable cast (or boot walker) taken off this week, he could be back in Super League XVIII contention within the next few weeks.

“It’s going well,” reported Lawrence.

“The cast comes off this week, so I should be able to start building up my strength and increase my training work.

“Hopefully, I’ll be back playing again by the end of the month, which would be a massive bonus.

“It was feared at first that I could be out for up to three months, so things couldn’t really be going much better for me. Missing the first two months isn’t good, but it could have been so much worse.

“But even though I could be fit and available by the end of the month, I know that doesn’t guarantee me an automatic return.

“Back row is a position where we’re really strong at the moment, and with the way the boys have been playing (the Bradford game apart) I may have to be patient.

“It’s up to me to keep working hard and prove that the wait isn’t a long one.”

Although the Giants have no shortage of back-row forwards, it hasn’t prevented head coach Paul Anderson re-calling Dale Ferguson from his loan spell at Hull KR.

Ferguson joins Jason Chan, Jamie Cording, Jacob Fairbank, David Faiumu, Brett Ferres and Ukuma Ta’ai in the battle to land a back-row berth for tomorrow night’s to Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

Anderson admits Ferguson is likely to feature, as will prop Stuart Fielden, who was rested against the Bulls.