Ian Watson provides Huddersfield squad update ahead of pre-season

James Gordon

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson is hopeful Luke Yates and Jake Wardle will be fit for the start of the season.

The Giants are due to return for pre-season training this week, but without a handful of their squad.

Yates, 26, is recovering from a pectoral injury, while Wardle has had shoulder operations.

RETURN: First clubs report back for pre-season

Their biggest injury worry is over young full-back Aiden McGowan, who is set to sit out most of pre-season.

Coach’s update

Watson told the club’s official website: “We’ve a number of surgeries that have gone well but will prevent or put back start dates for pre-season for a few of the lads.

“Luke Yates had his pectoral done a while back now and he’ll look to return in December with modified training and rehab and then all systems go in January.

“Young Jake Wardle is a similar time frame after his shoulder operations and there is great hope that Chester Butler can follow a similar time frame after such a dreadful run of luck ever since I’ve been here and before that too.

“He is running progressively and will hope to join the first team squad for some sessions initially and then fully in January is the aim.

“Aiden McGowen is going to miss a large portion of the pre-season with a back issue that needs rest as much as rehab which is a blow to him and us as he finished the season so strongly at York and we are all excited to see him push on.

“Will Pryce took a knock in the Knights game and he’ll be looking at a full return towards the end of November rather than next week.

“Jon Luke is another similar to Chester who has had no luck at all and is in rehab following his knee operation and whilst it’s too early to put dates in his return he will, I’m sure, have February in mind to rejoin the squad fully.”

Squad depth

New signings Theo Fages and Chris Hill have been given an extra few weeks off as their seasons at St Helens and Warrington respectively went beyond the regular season.

A couple of the Giants’ overseas contingent will also be late back due to visa issues.

The Giants released a squad update at the start of last month, and have since added Fages and handed a new one-year deal to Innes Senior.

Watson added: “Overall though I feel we’re in a good spot and there will be some physical testing this week both aerobically and in the gym to see where all the lads are following their breaks and then the full tough stuff will start next Monday for real.”

 

Super League Huddersfield Giants