PAUL MARCH'S painful injury wait goes on.

An exploratory operation on the in-form Giants half-back's damaged right knee has failed to reveal the full extent of the injury.

There is some ligament and cartilage damage, but with the knee so swollen as a result of the knock picked up in the final stages of the 42-34 Super League triumph over Catalans Dragons on Sunday, it has been impossible to assess the full extent of the injury.

Giants officials are resigned to being without March for the next few weeks, but are keeping their fingers crossed he will feature in the club's run-in to the end of the season, which includes the Challenge Cup semi-final against Leeds at Odsal on July 30.

It's not all bad news for the Giants, however, with captain Chris Thorman expected to be named in a 20-man squad for the first time in six weeks following a broken thumb.

And Martin Aspinwall (ribs), James Evans (virus) and Jim Gannon (bicep) could also be back for Sunday's trip to Castleford Tigers (3.30) after missing the win over the Dragons.

But the injury to March remains the big issue.

"The specialist can see there is some damage, but the knee is so badly swollen it's almost impossible to assess the full extent," explained football manager Stuart Sheard.

"All we can do now is wait for a full report in the next few days. Until then, the wait goes on.

"Paul is obviously ruled out this weekend, but we are hopeful of having a strong squad to face Castleford."