MAIN Giants playmaker Brandon Costin will miss Friday's Sky-televised Super League clash at Widnes Vikings (8.00).

The 29-year-old Australian has been unable to shake off an ankle injury picked up in pre-season and is clearly struggling with his overall fitness after undergoing major shoulder surgery towards the end of the 2003 season.

That didn't prevent him from scoring the winning try in the Super League opener against Castleford.

But the loose-forward looked to be struggling throughout the weekend Challenge Cup win over top French side Pia, and the decision has been taken to keep him on the sidelines.

In his absence, scrum half Paul March will take over the goalkicking duties after assuming that role in the second half of the Pia game.

And Chris Nero is primed to take control at the back of the scrum, something he did during his time at top Australian club St George.

Sharp is hoping, however, that a week's rest at this stage will prove the best course of treatment for Costin and that he will return sooner rather than later.

"Brandon has obviously not been entering the field of play 100%, so we've decided the best approach is to pull him back and give him a rest," explained Sharp.

"He's been struggling for a while and is showing no real signs of improvement.

"So we're all hoping rest is the best way forward.

"Fortunately, I believe we have the cover to overcome his absence.

"Marchy proved against Pia that he is a capable goalkicker, although he's now having extra training sessions because he won't have Brandon around.

"He'll also take more of a lead guiding the team around the park, which is something I know he can do.

"It'll also be down to Chris to take more of a role from the loose-forward berth.

"He's no stranger to this and he's already shown in the time he's been with us that he has superb all-round skills.

"He's proving a tremendous asset."

The Giants, meanwhile, are to play their re-arranged Senior Academy grading game against Wigan at Huddersfield RFC's Lockwood Park ground.

Snow and ice prevented the fixture taking place on Saturday, and it will now be on Thursday, March 18 (7.30).

Before then, the Giants play what is now their opening Academy fixture against St Helens at the YMCA's Laund Hill ground on Saturday (2.30).