BIG Nick Fozzard is looking to lay his Huddersfield Giants ghost and power St Helens into the Powergen Challenge Cup final on Sunday.

The 26-year-old prop comes face to face with his former club at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington this weekend, with his Saints side red-hot favourites to triumph.

And Fozzard feels a victory would help lift some of the pain of his final two seasons with the Giants.

Although the popular front-rower felt at home at the McAlpine - he still lives in Longwood - a serious arm injury and life-threatening illness marred his final two years at the club.

Now, he is looking to ease that pain by securing a semi-final triumph over his former club and make his latest memory of Huddersfield a happy one.

"I had four years at the Giants, and for the majority of that time I thoroughly enjoyed it," reflected the former Leeds star.

"It's a very friendly club, and I'm delighted to see that they have finally got their act together.

"But I'm afraid my final two years at Huddersfield were an absolute nightmare, not that it was the club's fault.

"First of all I suffered that serious illness, which almost killed me. In the end, it was down to a severe case of food poisoning.

"Then when I had just returned to full fitness, I suffered a bad arm break at London Broncos, and then broke it again just as I was about to resume my Giants career.

"On top of that, I was released by the club, and had to start from scratch again at Warrington.

"That brought the curtain down on a nightmare two years.

"But I've not really looked back since then, and now I'm ready to play in my biggest game for St Helens, ironically against the Giants.

"It would be great to win on Sunday, if nothing else for the fact that it would mean my very latest memory of Huddersfield would be a positive one."

Yet Fozzard admits no-one inside the Saints camp is taking Sunday for granted.

Huddersfield have a good recent record against the Saints, having won 36-22 at the McAlpine early last season and then going down to a last-minute try in the Knowsley Road return.

Fozzard was at Warrington last season, so obviously wasn't a part of that St Helens squad.

But he was involved in two tough battles against Huddersfield last season, and expects this weekend to be no different.

His duel with Giants prop Darren Fleary, for instance, could prove crucial.

"Huddersfield are a very tough, physical side and it'll be a real battle," predicted Fozzard.

"The forwards from both sides will be up for it, there's no doubt about that.

"We know we'll need to be at the very top of our game if we are to win.

"But we have a great deal of confidence in each other's ability and we know that if we perform to our best we'll be OK.

"I'm playing alongside some of the best players in the world, players who are capable of getting us out of the tightest corners.

"We've already won at Bradford Bulls, and beaten Leeds and Hull at home, so we're bang in form in the Challenge Cup.

"But, as I said, we won't be taking Huddersfield for granted.

"I don't think that when it came to the semi-final draw we were bothered about who we drew.

"That's not because we were being conceited, it was because we knew all three of the teams left in the competition would provide us with a massive challenge.

"We know that Huddersfield are just as strong as the other semi-finalists, Warrington and Wigan, although I think some of the lads here were pleased it was the Giants because of Jon Sharp.

"The Saints lads have total respect for Sharpy after playing under him at Saints for the past two years.

"They all say he was a fantastic assistant coach, and they're not surprised he's making a fantastic head coach.

"I know the boys have been in contact with him since the draw was made, giving him a bit of stick.

"But I get the impression Sharpy's been giving as good as he's got. It's helped set the scene for Sunday."

Fozzard is also looking forward to renewing some old Giants acquaintances this weekend.

Although there's been a massive change in player personnel since Fozzard left the McAlpine three years ago, he still keeps in touch with those that remain.

"I still bump into Paul Reilly and Ben Cooper every so often. They're good lads," he added.

"I also still bump into a fair number of Huddersfield fans when I'm going around town.

"Because I'm living up at Longwood I can't avoid seeing Giants fans on a regular basis.

"At the moment, they've all got smiles on their faces and they are enjoying some very friendly banter with me.

"It'll be interesting to see what the mood is between us on Monday.

"I believe I'll be the one with the smiling face, but I know the Giants are confident they'll have the last laugh.

"But whatever happens I'm sure it's going to be a cracking semi-final."