Wardle buoyed by 80 minute return

Huddersfield centre Joe Wardle is looking to end the season on a high after a lengthy spell out with injury.

Wardle, 20, had been out of action since the end of May with a serious abdominal and groin injury, but made a return to first team action against Salford on Friday, playing the full 80 minutes.

He told the club’s official website: “It was great to get 80 minutes under my belt”.

“To be honest, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried before the game. The injuries have been pretty serious and I didn’t know for sure how well I’d be able to do.

“But everything was fine, and I’m already really excited about the rest of the season.”

Since Wardle’s last appearance, Huddersfield have changed coach – with Paul Anderson taking the reins from St Helens bound Nathan Brown, and his absence has also coincided with a dismal run of form for the Giants which has seen them slide down the Super League ladder.

This weekend, buoyed by last Friday’s win over the Reds, sees the Giants face Wardle’s former club Bradford at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday.

Wardle added: “You always want to play in every game, and even more so when it’s against your former club.

“That’s obviously down to the coach. All being well he saw enough in my performance last Friday to stick with me, but I’m taking nothing for granted.”

Wardle made three first team appearances for the Bulls before leaving to join the Giants ahead of the 2011 season.

He has since scored 13 tries in 31 games for Huddersfield, including seven in 13 in Super League this year.