Kruise Leeming is standing by to take over from injured Giants teammate Kyle Wood – with Chris Bailey hoping he’s the player to benefit from Brett Ferres’s latest absence.
Head coach Paul Anderson has already confirmed Leeming is set to feature in Sunday’s home clash against Wakefield after fellow hooker Wood’s season was ended after suffering a broken foot during Saturday’s 14-12 Super League triumph at Catalans Dragons.
And with Ferres facing a spell on the sidelines with a torn bicep – he’s undergoing further checks to assess the full extent of the damage after suffering earlier absences with ankle and knee injuries – fit-again fellow back-row forward Bailey could be set for a return to action.
Bailey hasn’t featured since he suffered a bicep injury during the home win over Catalans on April 19.
But Anderson has admitted the Australian has now shown he’s back to full fitness.
“At this stage, I think it’s fair to say Bails could potentially feature in our 19-man squad this week,” said Anderson.
“He’s certainly fit and raring to go again.
“While the squad was out in France, I took a training session with Bails and some of the Under 19s on Saturday morning, and I put him through the mincer in regards to contact and testing out his bicep. He came through that well.
“So there’s no doubt he’s back in the reckoning, with a lack of match-fitness the only thing against him.
“Kruise, on the other hand, is definitely match-fit after killing it in the Under 19s over the past few weeks.
“It’s unfortunate his chance to get back into the Super League side has come as a result of Woody’s injury, but I’m sure he’ll make the most of his opportunity – just like Jared Simpson the other month when Scott Grix was out through suspension.”
Leeming’s confirmed Super League re-call means he won’t be in action in tonight’s Under 19s Academy Phase II home clash against Bradford Bulls at the DRAM Centre (6.30)
Giants Under 19s: Keiron Reilly, Darnell McIntosh, Brad Burgess, Jack Etchells, Zack McComb, Harry Woollard, Will Gledhill, Izaac Farrell, Harry Redfearn, Harry Morland, Jamie Stringer, Will Carlos, Matthew English, Elliot Morris, Sam Wood, Danny Sowerby, Billy Hayes, Isaac Noi, Jordan Brown.
