GIANTS coach Jon Sharp is hoping his club's injury nightmare is about to end and they can finish the Super League season on a positive note.

Sharp will again be lacking the services of main pack men Eorl Crabtree (shin), Ben Roarty (ribs) and Mick Slicker (thumb) for tomorrow's clash against second-placed Hull FC at the Galpharm Stadium (3.00).

But with Chris Nero (dead leg) and Paul Reilly (ankle) closing in on returns, Sharp can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

"There was a tremendous amount of relief when we emerged from the game at St Helens last Friday with a clean bill of health," said Sharp.

"And the news about Paul and Chris is also encouraging.

"I intend giving them as long as possible to prove their fitness.

"But they have both been able to train this week, and if they don't make it against Hull tomorrow I certainly see no reason why they won't be available for the trip to Wakefield next Friday.

"And at this stage of the season I can't ask for any more than that.

"Eorl, Ben and Mick won't play again this season, but apart from that it's looking far better.

"There's also an outside chance Iain Morrison (knee) may come into the reckoning, and that's another piece of very positive news."

But Sharp knows he needs as many men as possible firing on all cylinders to meet the considerable threat that coach Shaun McRae's men will pose.

Hull will be smarting from their 26-12 home defeat at the hands of Bradford Bulls on Bank Holiday Monday.

It's a result which has put added pressure on the east coast club finishing second at the end of the regular season and having an easier run towards the Old Trafford Grand Final.

Yet former Hull favourite Sharp is hoping the physical nature of the KC Stadium clash will be to his side's advantage.

"Monday's match wasn't one for the faint hearted and it will be interesting to see what sort of shape they are in tomorrow," added Sharp.

"But we're still fully expecting them to be fired-up to face us.

"After all the hard work they have put in this season they will be desperate to keep hold of second spot.

"The way that will be achieved is by beating us and then winning their remaining two League fixtures.

"So the stakes for them couldn't be much higher this weekend.

"But we are determined to finish the season as strongly as possible. We don't intend making it easy for them."

Huddersfield Giants: Reilly, Donlan, Evans, Bailey, Costin, St Hilaire, Gene, March, Fleary, Penkywicz, Gannon, Nero, Smith, Jones, O'Hare, White, Joseph, Grayshon, Morrison, Fagborun.

Hull: Briscoe, Barnett Jnr, Raynor, Whiting, Yeaman, Best, Cooke, Horne, Dowes, Swain, King, McMenemy, McNicholas, Smith, Barnett Snr, Fletcher, Scruton, Horne.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).