DALE FERGUSON will be the only new pre-season face for the Giants trip to Wigan tomorrow night (8.00).
Former Warriors half-back and Huddersfield captain Kevin Brown had hoped to return for Sean O’Loughlin’s testimonial clash at the DW Stadium.
But O’Loughlin’s good friend is still not back to full fitness after having his appendix removed on Christmas Day.
And centre Joe Wardle is also missing after picking up a slight knock during Friday’s 32-22 trial defeat at Castleford Tigers.
That means Lee Gilmour could be handed a centre role, with the fit-again Ferguson (pictured left) automatically stepping into the back row.
The 23-year-old former Wakefield man was close to featuring at Castleford last week after undergoing major shoulder surgery three months ago.
But the decision was taken to give him an extra week’s preparation, which he is hopeful will prove highly beneficial.
“If called upon, I could have played at Cas, but it just didn’t seem worth taking the risk,” said Ferguson.
“I’m sure having the extra week to prepare will make a lot of difference.
“I’m still going to be returning slightly quicker than was originally scheduled, so there’s certainly no reason to complain.
“As a result, I’m just really looking forward tom getting out there and testing myself out against what we all know will be quality opposition.”
Coach Nathan Brown sends a 20-man squad to the DW Stadium, with youngster Freddie Walker, who has yet to earn a Super League shirt, the other to miss out.
