IN-FORM Giants prop Mick Slicker has today undergone a hernia operation as the injury situation at the McAlpine starts to reach crisis point.
The crucial surgery means the powerful front-rower will be out for six weeks.
The news comes just a day after confirmation that half-back Paul March will be out for the same period with a torn calf muscle.
But even more worrying is the fact that head coach Jon Sharp now has THIRTEEN members of his 25-man Super League squad on the treatment table.
It is hardly ideal preparation for the Giants as they gear up for Sunday's tough Super League trip to Bradford (6.00).
Sharp is hoping some of those receiving treatment will recover in time to travel to Odsal.
But he admits the McAlpine medical room is overloaded.
"I can't remember a situation as bad as this," said Sharp.
"We've 13 players in need of treatment, and if they were all fit and on the field together it would make a decent team.
"I had an inkling it might be this bad when the boys turned up on Monday morning.
"But the picture was getting bleaker and bleaker as we started building things up during yesterday.
"Obviously, losing Mick is a blow, but we've known for some time that he needs surgery to clear up a hernia problem and this week a slot became available and we jumped in to take it.
"The longer he waited, the worse it could have got, and it means we should have a fit Mick Slicker available for our end-of-season run-in."
Besides March and Slicker, centre Julian Bailey is also likely to be sidelined for six weeks with a broken cheekbone.
The other Giants receiving treatment are Paul Smith (shoulder), Jonathan Grayshon (ankle), Darren Fleary (ankle), Jim Gannon (knee), Stuart Jones (calf), Stuart Donlan (wrist), Hefin O'Hare (foot), Brandon Costin (hamstring), Iain Morrison (knee) and Darren Turner (knee).
Better news is that full-back Paul Reilly, who missed the Wigan game with an ankle injury, was able to train.
