GIANTS captain Ben Roarty has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a rib injury.
But fellow injured duo Paul Reilly and Marcus St Hilaire should be ready to return as the countdown to Sunday's big Engage Super League home clash against world club champions Leeds Rhinos (3.00) gets under way.
The news on the inspirational Roarty is a big blow to coach Jon Sharp and his squad as they look to build on Friday's highly encouraging performance at St Helens when the Giants could count themselves desperately unlucky to have lost 34-24.
One consolation is that Roarty, who suffered a similar injury less than a year ago, lasted just 11 minutes before he was forced to leave the field at Saints and the Giants were still able to go on and produce a top display in his absence.
That was down to the magnificent efforts off the bench of fellow forwards Eorl Crabtree, Jonathan Grayshon and Paul Smith, who were all a match for the big Saints pack.
And coach Sharp will have no hesitation in including them again against the Rhinos.
The head coach does, however, now have a major dilemma in the backs, with the return of Reilly and St Hilaire.
England full-back Reilly missed the Saints trip after failing a late fitness test on a calf injury, while St Hilaire was also not risked with a similar problem which he picked up ahead of the Hull home game the week before.
But in their absence Stuart Donlan was again excellent in the No1 shirt, while wingers Hefin O'Hare and Paul White were also top Knowsley Road performers.
With the Giants having performed so well at St Helens and Sunday opponents Leeds having returned to top form with a 66-8 destruction of Widnes, a bumper Galpharm gate is expected.
As a result, the message from the club is one of urgency on the ticket front to get either the special season ticket offer of `Friend for a Fiver' or the pre-bought seats for a discounted £15.
There's also been high demand for places on the Mother's Day Lunch and Crunch, which includes a three-course meal plus wine and coffee and costs just £55 (£10 discount for season ticket holders). Further details from the club.
The match is sponsored by the Examiner.
