CRUSADERS coach Brian Noble admits he will have to send a patched-up side into Super League action at the Giants on Sunday.
Huddersfield will be looking to complete the double over the Wrexham-based side – whose assistant coach is former Giants chief Jon Sharp – after securing a hard-fought 38-10 triumph at the Racecourse Ground on April 25.
But several players who were in action for the Crusaders that day are currently sidelined, including former British Lions rugby union legend Gareth Thomas.
And Noble knows his players could be up against it when they visit West Yorkshire this weekend, particularly after the very painful experience of the 30-10 home defeat at the hands of Warrington Wolves on Sunday.
“We lost Lincoln Withers in the warm-up with a calf problem and Ryan O’Hara was in laa-laa land.
“Weller Hauraki is playing with a side strain and Rocky Trimarchi sprung his neck.
“And that’s on top of Vine Mellars (shoulder), Michael Witt (knee) and Tommy Lee (leg) already ruled out.
“Then, finally, we’ve got the concern over Gareth.
“He made his return from a groin injury against Warrington and has immediately done it again.
“The decision to bring him back looks the wrong one now. He’s certainly out for the next few weeks at least.”
