Top Giants prop Sam Rapira is expected to make his season’s start at home to Salford on Thursday.

But there’s a question mark over the fitness of fellow forward Tom Symonds.

While former New Zealand Test front-rower Rapira wasn’t risked with a slight hamstring issue on the firm artificial Widnes pitch, Symonds suffered a knee injury during Huddersfield’s 28-16 Super League opening-night triumph against the Vikings.

A scan looks to be on the cards for Symonds to assess the full extent of the damage, with head coach Rick Stone admitting he’s keeping his fingers crossed.

“It’s just a case of waiting to see with Tommy,” said Stone.

Huddersfield Giants Tom Symonds tries to get past Widnes Vikings' Tim Gilmore Betfred Super League XXII Widnes v Huddersfield 10/02/17 (Pic by John Rushworth)
Huddersfield Giants Tom Symonds tries to get past Widnes Vikings' Tim Gilmore

“He’s obviously had a knee problem for a while, which is why he had surgery at the end of last season, but this time he’s damaged his ‘good’ knee.

“There’s a chance there might be a slight tear there, it’s a case of waiting to see.

“But, all being well, we’ll see Sam on Thursday night.

“He was very close to playing at Widnes, and if it had been a Grand Final he’d definitely have played.

“On this occasion, we thought we’d keep him back for this week, so he can do a little bit more training and be in an even stronger position to play.”