HUDDERSFIELD Giants' proud away record in Super League IX is about to face its most severe examination.

Head coach Jon Sharp's side have won five of their six games on their travels, with the only reverse coming at leaders Leeds Rhinos when they rested several key players ahead of their big Challenge Cup semi-final clash against St Helens.

Victories have been achieved at Widnes, Wakefield, Warrington, London and Salford.

But winning at in-form Wigan at the JJB Stadium on Sunday (3.00) and then against Bradford Bulls at Odsal the following weekend is clearly a far taller order.

However, with the return of prop Eorl Crabtree following a severe bout of migraine attacks and the possible return of Brandon Costin after a hamstring injury, the Giants won't be lacking in confidence.

And with a win for the fifth-placed Giants helping them open up a three-point gap on sixth-placed Wigan, there's a big incentive to pull off what would still be regarded as a major shock.

Just a week ago, Wigan inflicted only the second defeat of the season on St Helens when they secured a thoroughly deserved 30-14 victory at the JJB Stadium.

That's a major warning for the Giants, with Sharp well aware that his side will have to be at their very best to keep the Warriors at bay.

"We'll be coming up against a Wigan side brimming with confidence after their outstanding win over St Helens," said Sharp.

"It was a game Saints never looked like winning, and it's not very often you can say that in matches featuring them.

"Adrian Lam and Terry Newton were both outstanding that night, but Wigan have that many quality players it's difficult to pinpoint one particular player.

"It is obvious, therefore, that for us to come away with the right result we need to be at our very best,

"It's no exaggeration to say every player must produce their best performance of the year to guarantee success."

The return of prop Crabtree, whose form off the bench has already made him a candidate for England selection this autumn, is a welcome bonus.

And so, too, would the hoped-for return of Costin.

"Losing Julian Bailey with his fractured cheekbone is an obvious blow and Darren Turner is still at least a week away with his knee problem," said Sharp.

"But having Eorl definitely back and Brandon possibly, it's definitely good news."

Wigan: Radlinski, Hodgson, Connolly, Aspinwall, Dallas, Orr, Lam, O'Connor, Newton, Smith (C), Hock, Farrell, O'Loughlin, Wild, Tickle, Sculthorpe, Smith (M), Cassidy.

Huddersfield: Reilly, O'Hare, Evans, Donlan, St Hilaire, March, Penkywicz, Fleary, Joseph, Roarty, Jones, Nero, Gene, Gannon, Slicker, Smith, Costin, Crabtree, Morrison, White.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens).