IT’S never nice missing a game, particularly when it’s one at the home of the Super League champions.

The boys are obviously facing Leeds Rhinos at Headingley, which I have to admit is a fantastic venue.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing there last season, because the atmosphere is simply superb.

But, unfortunately, the boys are going to have to go there and win without me, which I’m sure they can.

I’m probably going to be stuck on the sidelines for the next three weeks with my shoulder injury, which I have to admit is still extremely painful.

I knew almost straight away when I picked up the injury in last Sunday’s win that it was a bad one.

As soon as I was hit I went straight down, and didn’t even realise at first that Michael Lawrence had gone on and scored a try from my pass. I’ve seen it since, and Bruno took it exceptionally well.

At first, I’d hoped I’d got a ‘stinger’ to the shoulder and that it would soon wear off.

But after about 30 seconds, the pain started to get worse and I knew I was in trouble.

I hate going off injured, but there are times when you simply have no other choice, and this was one of those occasions.

The only consolation, of course, is that we went on to win the contest, which was obviously the main purpose of the exercise.

After the bad defeat at Castleford the week before, it really was vital we returned to winning ways immediately to make sure we remain in the play-off hunt.

We do remain very confident as a group that we will make the top eight at the end of the season and can look forward to taking part in the semis and, all being well, I should be back to full fitness by that stage.

But in the next couple of weeks Scott Grix has the chance to prove to everyone he’s the man to take the No1 shirt next season.

With Leroy Cudjoe impressing in the centres, Grixy could definitely make the position his own when I move on.

And even though that’s the case, I was absolutely delighted when Browny said he’d been staying next season after all.

I may not be here next year, but it really is fantastic for the club and should guarantee the Giants keep getting better and better.