FIT-AGAIN Chris Thorman is looking to make up for the disappointment of missing the Challenge Cup clash with St Helens by inspiring his side to a Super League victory over Saints at the Galpharm tomorrow (3.00).
The 24-year-old missed the controversial Cup-tie with a back injury and was also absent as Huddersfield followed up by securing a superb 24-16 win against Wigan.
He was back at Bradford Bulls last Sunday, but was introduced from the bench at a time when the contest was already slipping away from the visitors.
That Odsal run-out did at least prove to the Newcastle-born star that he was back to full fitness.
And he is aiming to prove that again by playing a key role in the revenge bid against Saints.
"I hate missing games, and to be forced to watch the Cup-tie and then the win over Wigan from the stands hit me hard," admitted the talented stand-off, who did play in the game at Saints earlier in the season when the Giants were unlucky to lose 34-24.
"There's no way I want to miss any more games this year.
"But the main priority right now is to put things right after the Bradford game by regaining our best form against St Helens.
"Against the Bulls, we didn't turn up defensively and missed far too many one-on-one tackles, which is very unlike us.
"I'm sure we won't make the same mistakes again and we can bounce back in style this weekend.
"We know we are capable of beating Saints. The boys played so well against them in the Cup and we know that if the calls that day had gone the right way we'd have beaten them and we'd still be in the competition.
"I just hope we get a fair crack of the whip tomorrow and that I can play my part in what hopefully will be another Huddersfield victory."
Thorman knows, however, that St Helens will, as usual, pose a major threat.
Saints secured an excellent 30-20 triumph at London Broncos a week ago, despite lacking the services of top internationals Sean Long, Jamie Lyon and Paul Sculthorpe.
Kangaroos Test centre Lyon is definitely back after returning from Australia where he was at the birth of his first child, while Great Britain scrum half Long is in contention after undergoing a minor knee operation just over a week ago.
Giants officials, meanwhile, are once again hoping for a bumper turn-out for this weekend's clash, with Sky Sports summariser Mike Stephenson now lending his support to the cause.
"Let's hope with the type of football the Giants are displaying now that the people of Huddersfield come and watch this wonderful brand of rugby league," he said.
"My advice to all fans is not to live in the past of the Fartown greats.
"There's a great side here now. Come and see them."
