Huddersfield Giants coach Paul Anderson expects the younger members of his squad to show significant improvements in the opening weeks of pre-season training.
With a large number of senior players missing the early stages of the build-up to Super League 2014 due to World Cup commitments or end-of-season surgery, the club’s youngsters have been given an ideal opportunity to take centre stage.
They have already had an extra month’s preparation under staff coaches Stuart Fielden and Chris Thorman before last Monday’s official start of pre-season.
And with fewer players around, the coaching staff have more of a chance to help those present hone their skills – which Anderson believes is vital.
“We’ve got a very good, talented bunch of kids here, and they’re all willing to learn,” said Anderson.
“The senior squad’s pretty light on numbers at the moment for a couple of reasons, so this is the chance for the younger end to really step up and show us (the coaching staff) what they can do.
“They all share the same goal of wanting to break into the senior side next year, and the harder they work now, the greater their chance of fulfilling that ambition.
“They know that’s going to be tough, but this is a great time for them to come to the fore.
“These next few months really are vitally important for all of them.”
