Huddersfield Giants England international Brett Ferres is happy he can handle the heat of a Super League derby clash as Huddersfield travel to Castleford Tigers tomorrow night (8pm).
Ankle ligament damage threatened to keep the 29-year-old second rower out of action for the majority of the season, but he made a rapid return to play in Saturday’s 48-16 Challenge Cup defeat at Leeds Rhinos.
The former Castleford player, while not happy with the Headingley result, was pleased to get through the Leeds game.
“I am feeling very good and getting back so soon was a surprise as initially I was set for four months out,” said Ferres.
“However, the specialist then said I didn’t need surgery, so that knocked a month off straight away.
“I flew through rehab from there, but there is still damage to my ligaments – they are still not properly attached.
“But it’s manageable and I managed to get through 80 minutes of a fast game at Leeds.
“I am in for the second test tomorrow, but we have great staff at the Giants and I have to thank physio Dave O’Sullivan for the great work he has done for me.”
The Giants go into the clash with Tigers unbeaten in four Super League matches and having won their last two on the road at Hull FC and Salford Reds.
The key to those wins was miserly defence and Ferres said the team were keen to get back to those standards.
“The Challenge Cup is one of those things you look forward to every year, but that has gone for us now,” said Ferres.
“We have got to get straight back on the horse now and go to Castleford and win two Super league points.
“Defence has been one of our strengths this season, which the Super League table shows.
“We have got to learn from the lesson we were taught at Leeds and get back to doing the things we do well consistently.”
