HUDDERSFIELD-BORN prop Nathan Sykes believes Castleford's opening-day Super League defeat to the Giants has influenced the clubs' respective seasons.

While the Giants built on the 26-22 McAlpine triumph to secure a place in the top half of the table, Sykes' Tigers have remained rooted to the foot of the top-flight ladder from day one.

Castleford know they need to win back at Huddersfield in Sunday's clash at the Galpharm Stadium (3.00) to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the drop.

And Sykes believes the memories of that opening-day defeat on February 22 will provide his side with an extra source of motivation.

"The manner of that defeat hit us hard, and in a way we've never really recovered," reflected the former Moldgreen junior.

"There was very little between the teams that day and with a couple of minutes remaining it looked as if the win would be ours.

"But with a lucky bounce for the Giants and an error from us, Brandon Costin was able to pounce to score the try that gave Huddersfield the win.

"And just look how the Giants have gone since!

"But, in comparison, look what's happened to Cas!

"It's something that we haven't forgotten as a squad, and we want to lay a few ghosts this weekend.

"Winning to keep our hopes of staying in Super League alive is obviously our major source of motivation, but we also want to make up for that last visit to the town."

Sykes and his Castleford teammates find themselves four points adrift of second bottom Widnes with six games remaining.

After visiting the Giants the Tigers have home games against Hull, Salford and Wakefield and away trips to Leeds and main relegation rivals Widnes.

But the former England prop is refusing to look beyond this weekend's match against his hometown club.

"I know it's the oldest cliche in the book, but we really do have to take one game at a time," he added.

"All the focus is on trying to beat Huddersfield this weekend, and having beaten them at The Jungle a month ago we know we can do it.

"One of the positives that exists within the club is that everyone has written us off, predicting it's only a matter of time before we go down.

"We're happy about that as a squad, because it means there's hardly any pressure on us.

"As far as we're concerned, all the pressure on Sunday is on Huddersfield because they are expected to win."