Huddersfield Giants are set to name an interim coach for the next phase of the Super League season.

The Giants go into tomorrow night’s Super League showdown with table-toppers Hull FC seeking a win to keep their fleeting hopes of avoiding playing in the Middle 8s alive.

However, it would appear that caretaker coach Andy Kelly, who took the reins after head coach Paul Anderson and his assistant Kieron Purtill were sacked 14 days ago, is likely to be taking charge of the first team for the last time against the Airlie Birds.

The 55-year-old, who is head of youth performance with the Giants, is also the England Academy coach and he is expecting to be on duty with the national side as they head for a tour of Australia at the end of next week.

“Every game could be your last game when you are a coach,” smiled Kelly. “But I do think the club is a little bit further forward.

“The England Academy tour was always going ahead with or without me, but at this moment it is more likely that it will be with me.

“That doesn’t mean that the club has made a decision with regard to the head coach, but I think they have got a very good roster of people that they will be able to pick from.

“But in the short term the club look set to work with a coach on an interim basis.

“I think the club will be looking to resolve things as quickly as they can from that basis.”

While no names were offered as to who will take over the interim role, the appointment seems likely to come from within with first team coach Chris Thorman and recently retired hooker Luke Robinson having played a big part on assisting Kelly while he has acted as stand-in.

The Giants have said they have received over 20 applications for the vacant head coach role and among the latest names to be linked with being in the running are two NRL candidates in Geoff Toovey, who was Manley Sea Eagles coach from 2010 to 2015, and Kurt Wrigley, who is currently an assistant coach at South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Huddersfield Giants assistant coach Chris Thorman
Huddersfield Giants assistant coach Chris Thorman