GIANTS skipper Brett Hodgson has revealed his disappointment at missing tomorrow’s home Super League clash against Salford (3.00) with a quad-muscle injury.
But he admits he was just as disappointed to find out none of his teammates had been named in England’s initial elite training squad.
Players from nine of the 12 English-based Super League clubs earned calls to Tony Smith’s 17-man squad.
But despite the Giants standing fourth in Super League and having just reached the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup, not one Huddersfield player got the England nod.
And in-form Australian goalkicking full-back Hodgson, who hopes to return at Wakefield next weekend, admits he feels sorry that some of his teammates were snubbed.
“I have to admit I was very surprised,” said Hodgson. “I’ve been impressed by the quality of the English players here, and the likes of Kev Brown, Scotty Moore and big Eorl (Crabtree) must have come very close.
“I suppose the one consolation is that there’s still time to be called up between now and the end of the season, so it’s something else for our players to aim towards.
“It’s just a case of making sure they continue to put their best feet forward and do what they can to help us maintain our League challenge.
“And tomorrow I wish I could be there with them. I was really looking forward to returning after missing the Cup game, but it was clear yesterday it wouldn’t happen.
“I’m really disappointed about that.”
Apart from Hodgson, the other seven senior players who sat out last week’s Cup win over Rochdale Hornets are in line to return.
That includes prop Keith Mason, who steps in automatically for injured fellow front-rower Darrell Griffin (leg).
Tomorrow’s clash is also the first time Salford’s Robbie Paul returns to the Galpharm since he left for The Willows last season.
During his two years at Huddersfield he helped the club reach the Challenge Cup final for the first time in 40 years and the Super League play-offs for the first time.
