Halifax coach Richard Marshall believes a pre-season clash against Super League neighbours Huddersfield is just what his club needs as they look to mount a serious 2015 Championship challenge.

The former Giants prop is delighted to have fixed up a derby encounter against his former club at The Shay on Sunday, January 25.

Marshall’s men will also travel to Hull KR for another trial clash against top-flight opposition on Sunday, January 11.

But with Huddersfield and Halifax intending to field full-strength squads for their final warm-up games before the new season, former Warrington assistant coach Marshall knows his squad will be challenged to the full – and he couldn’t be happier about it.

“We have aspirations to play at Super League level, so we need to test ourselves against those kinds of teams,” said Marshall, a former Fax teammate of both Hull KR coach Chris Chester and Huddersfield boss Paul Anderson.

“I’ve got a good relationship with both Paul and Chris and I’m sure we can look forward to two exciting and challenging games.”

There’ll be added interest in the West Yorkshire derby, with the clubs resurrecting the Infirmary Cup, which the clubs used to play for on an annual basis.

And that positive announcement was immediately backed up by the news highly-rated back-rower Dane Manning has been handed a new contract that will keep at the club until the end of 2017.

The former Featherstone and Batley player served a 10-week suspension last summer after his high tackle on former teammate Sam Barlow sparked an all-in brawl during a league fixture at Leigh.

But with Manning’s current deal due to expire at the end of next season, and no shortage of potential suitors for the former Leeds junior, Fax have replaced the final year of his contract with a new, enhanced, three year agreement.

“Everyone I have spoken to about Dane, both inside and outside the club, speaks very highly of his ability,” added Marshall.

“He’s a quality player who I expect to contribute to a very strong back row next year.

“I’ve watched the incident at Leigh on DVD and I don’t want to comment specifically on that.

“Generally though, I like tough players who are prepared to stand up for their teammates, but at the same time discipline is very important to me and everyone needs to be aware of their responsibilities to the team.”