SHANE Elford has been ruled out for three months!
The Giants utility back has undergone surgery to repair a damaged shoulder and will remain on the sidelines until July at the earliest.
It's the latest blow for the 29-year-old former Wests Tigers star, who picked up a chest infection at the start of the year and has struggled to show his top Australian NRL form.
His performances in the wins over Wakefield and Warrington did suggest he was about to make his mark.
And Giants coach Jon Sharp admits the news is a big blow.
"This is bad news for the club and bad news for Shane," said Sharp.
"After a difficult start, he was beginning to show what he could do.
"He's an experienced outside back and I know he'll be a big loss for us.
"We had hoped earlier in the week he would start responding to treatment.
"That didn't prove the case, so he went back to see his specialist and immediately underwent surgery."
Sharp is expected to name an unchanged side for the visit of Harlequins this weekend as Elford was injured and unavailable for the victory against Wigan last Sunday.
A victory for the Giants would make it four on the trot in Super League.
