TOP Giants duo Paul Reilly and Darren Turner have undergone operations which will guarantee their availability for the start of Super League IX.
Reilly went under the knife to repair an injury to his right ankle, while Turner has had surgery on a troublesome shoulder.
Having the operations now mean the influential duo will be ready for the start of the new Super League season, which is due to get under way towards the end of February.
Teammates Brandon Costin (shoulder) and Stanley Gene (cheekbone) will also be fit to resume after major surgery before the end of the last campaign.
Signs suggest all four operations have been a complete success, with new head coach Jon Sharp delighted he will have a quartet of top-line players in the peak of condition for 2004.
"I knew Brandon and Stanley's operations had been a success when I arrived, and now I know it's the same with Paul and Darren," reported Sharp.
"By all accounts, Paul finished last season with restrictive movement in his ankle and the operation couldn't come soon enough for him.
"Now he's got complete movement in the ankle and is looking forward to starting pre-season training in top condition.
"That's also the case with Darren, who is already feeling a lot stronger."
With the RFL having agreed to the BBC's wishes to move the Challenge Cup final to later in the season, Super League is expected to kick-off before the top clubs enter the knockout competition.
In previous seasons, the fourth round of the Challenge Cup has taken place two weeks before the start of Super League.
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