AUSTRALIAN Test centre Michael De Vere will make his Giants Super League debut on Easter Monday.
The 28-year-old Brisbane Broncos legend has been handed the all-clear to play in the home clash against Salford City Reds.
The goalkicking centre has not played since suffering a major knee injury in July.
But he has now completed a strict rehabilitation programme and has proved to the Giants medical team that he is fit to resume his playing career.
Coach Jon Sharp has resisted the temptation to play him at Wakefield on Friday (7.30) when captain Ben Roarty could return after a rib injury.
Sharp also has Stuart Donlan, Sean Penkywicz and Jonathan Grayshon available after they missed out against Warrington.
And with so many options available to him on Good Friday, Sharp has opted to save De Vere for the City Reds.
It promises to be an exciting occasion, with De Vere the first current Australian Test player to play for Huddersfield in 50 years. Pat Devery was the last.
And Sharp admits that there's already a sense of excitement inside the Giants camp at De Vere's news.
"It's given everyone a real lift and added to the excitement ahead of an Easter programme which we're already looking forward to," said Sharp.
"As you can imagine, the man who is the most excited is Michael. He can see that his long wait may be almost over."
Giants 20-man squad: Reilly, O'Hare, Evans, Donlan, Thorman, March, Slicker, Drew, Gannon, Nero, Roarty, Gene, Jones, Penkywicz, Morrison, Crabtree, Grayshon, White, Jackson, St Hilaire.
