Fit-again Joe Wardle believes that when the Huddersfield Giants start to get the rub of the green they’ll become a major power once again.

The 22-year-old centre missed last week’s home defeat to Warrington with an ankle injury, but returned to tryscoring action in yesterday’s controversial 17-16 home Challenge Cup defeat to St Helens.

Wardle was expected to be sidelined for a month with the injury he picked up at Catalan Dragons 16 days ago.

While he was delighted to be back in double-quick time, he admitted the pain he felt at losing to Saints in such gut-wrenching fashion was worse than the one he had suffered in the South of France.

But he knows that hurt is bound to come to an end at some stage.

“It was a great effort from all of the lads yesterday, and we felt we deserved something from the game,” said Wardle, whose try just before half-time gave the Giants a 10-8 interval advantage.

“But we just don’t seem to be getting the rub of the green at the moment. It seems that everything and everyone is against us.

“I don’t think any of us thought Broughy’s drop goal had missed. It looked a really good one to us, but unfortunately the referee didn’t agree, which was tough to take.

“But we know our luck is bound to change at some point, and when it does we’ll be firing again.

“At the moment, we’re not looking for excuses, we just know this is the time when the calls are going against us.”

And Wardle is already looking forward to getting back on the right Super League track at Hull FC on Thursday night – particularly as he ankle came through the Saints game unscathed.

“The ankle’s feeling good, and I can’t thank our physio staff enough for that,” he added.

“They’ve done a great job getting me back out there so quickly, and the ankle felt go and strong during the game.

“Unless something dramatic happens, I can’t see there being a problem for me playing on Thursday night.

“After what happened yesterday, I think all the boys are looking forward to playing again and getting this tough loss out of our system.”

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