Castleford v Huddersfield: Super League preview
Last Updated: 03/04/16 6:10pm
Daryl Powell says Sunday's Super League clash with Huddersfield marks the start of an important period for Castleford.
The Tigers face trips to Widnes and Wigan in rounds 10 and 11 and head coach Powell hopes his side can kick on after a testing Easter schedule.
"Around the Easter period I haven't been able to rotate players at all so it's been pretty difficult, but we've just got to kick on," he said.
"We've got a really important period now, starting with Huddersfield this weekend and we need to crack on and have a real pop at them.
"We are back at home, in front of our home crowd which is massive for us.
"Both ourselves and the Giants have suffered with injuries over the initial third of the season and that has obviously impacted on some of the results for both teams.
"We are really stretched in some positions but that is why we have a strong squad. Although we will benefit in the future with our younger players getting game time, it is the here and now that is crucial on Sunday."
Castelford are without winger Joel Monaghan, who scored twice in Easter Monday's loss at Catalans. He has been ruled out with a back problem, joining an already lengthy injury list.
Matt Cook is named in their 19-man squad after serving a two-game suspension while Lee Jewitt could also return on Sunday.
Huddersfield sit bottom of Super League after winning just one of their opening eight fixtures. They welcome Joe Wardle back from suspension for the trip to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
Castleford Tigers: Ryan Boyle, Matt Cook, Ben Crooks, Luke Gale, Keiran Gill, Ryan Hampshire, Jy Hitchcox, Tom Holmes, Lee Jewitt, Andy Lynch, Will Maher, Nathan Massey, Mike McMeeken, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Greg Minikin, Denny Solomona, Jake Webster.
Huddersfield Giants: Ryan Brierley, Danny Brough, Jake Connor, Eorl Crabtree, Leroy Cudjoe, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Craig Huby, Josh Johnson, Michael Lawrence, Kruise Leeming, Jermaine McGillvary, Aaron Murphy, Larne Patrick, Sam Rapira, Oliver Roberts, Jared Simpson, Ukuma Ta'ai, Joe Wardle, Kyle Wood.