NEW wing sensation Jermaine McGillvary is desperate to face Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Friday night.

The 22-year-old in-form Giants flier has admitted being told he wouldn’t be playing in last month’s big Super League XVI home clash against Wigan Warriors hit him hard.

Since then, the Huddersfield-born back has starred in the wins over Hull KR, Wakefield and Warrington as the Giants stormed back to the top of the league.

And McGillvary is hoping that means head coach Nathan Brown won’t be tempted to leave him out again and he gets the chance to play on one of Super League’s biggest stages in four days’ time.

“I can’t really describe how disappointed I was when Browny said he wouldn’t be playing me against Wigan,” said McGillvary, who wasn’t considered as he had been on a training camp with the England Knights in the build-up to the clash.

“I could fully understand Browny’s reasons. I was with the Knights for most of the week and would only have been able to take part in the Giants’ final training run ahead of such a massive game.

“So I didn’t really know what the gameplan was going to be, and I definitely didn’t want to mess things up as a result.

“But games against the top sides are the ones you desperately want to play in, and Wigan are obviously a top side.

“Fortunately, I got the chance to play against Warrington the other night, which was an awesome experience, and I just hope I’ll now be able to face Leeds at Headingley.”