Huddersfield Giants look ready to take a gamble on the fitness of Craig Kopczak in a bid to guarantee Challenge Cup glory.
The 26-year-old is a shock inclusion in the Giants’ 19-man squad for tomorrow’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup quarter-final clash at Warrington Wolves.
The 26-year-old prop suffered a potential ruptured bicep in the big 60-16 home Super League triumph over Catalan Dragons a fortnight ago.
But with scans having now revealed he suffered heavy bruising rather than a rupture, there’s chance he could line up for Huddersfield at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Head coach Paul Anderson has described Kopczak’s chances of playing as ‘touch and go’.
But the Giants chief admits the fact scans in the week revealed the damage wasn’t as bad as first feared – a rupture would have meant a three-month lay-off – have provided his squad with another welcome boost.
“Koppy’s touch and go, but he is getting closer to playing all the time,” said Anderson, who isn’t in a position to include new Cup-tied signing from Wakefield, Kyle Wood.
“That’s why he’s in the 19, because there is a chance he’ll make it.
“But the sheer presence of Koppy back at training has given everyone an extra spring in their step.
“Tomorrow is obviously a massive game for the club, and we’ve got to make sure our preparation is spot-on for what we know is going to be a huge challenge.
“Everyone knows how strong a side Warrington are, and we’ve got to be at our best to match them, whether that’s with Koppy or without him.”
