NEW Australian Giants signing John Skandalis wants an early start to pre-season training!

The former Wests Tigers prop was given permission to spend Christmas with his family in Australia before jetting in to Huddersfield.

But he has contacted the Super League club telling them to expect him in the second week of December.

Skandalis has made it clear he wants to meet his new teammates as quickly as possible and get into life at the Giants.

And the club are happy to oblige.

"Many Australian players like to spend Christmas with their families before they embark on a career in England," said Giants football manager Stuart Sheard.

"For some of them, it's the last chance to see them for a couple of years.

"But John's desire to get here as quickly as possible has got the better of him.

"All he can think about is meeting his new teammates and training with them.

"And we're certainly not going to stand in his way.

"We're delighted he's coming early, because we know he will have a positive influence off the field as well as on it."