Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC: Super League preview
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 30/06/16 7:42pm
Hull FC coach Lee Radford is hoping Jake Connor has an off day when he faces his future employers in Thursday's Super League game at Huddersfield, live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7.30pm.
Radford has secured the services of the 21-year-old utility back on a two-year deal from 2017 but knows that, for the rest of this season, he remains committed to helping the Giants in their fight for survival.
"I've told him he doesn't need to impress now that we've agreed a deal for 2017," joked Radford. "His job's done.
"I watched him last week against Wakefield and he showed one or two glimpses of the skill set that you can't teach. He's got that in abundance.
"I'm sure he'll want to perform but I'm hoping he doesn't."
Connor caught the eye with an acrobatic finish in Huddersfield's 26-18 Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat by Wakefield and Hull supporters may also remember his brace of tries in the Giants' 34-20 win over the Airlie Birds at the KC Stadium in last year's Super 8s.
The bulk of Connor's 44 Super League appearances have come in the three-quarters but Radford believes he can have a greater influence in the spine of his team and says he will have plenty of opportunities to show his ability next year.
"I know he can cover on the wing and he can play centre comfortably but I think his best position can be within the halves or full-back," said Radford.
"I want him to really challenge the blokes that we've got here at the moment. Because of the amount of games we've got next season, including a World Cup at the end, he's going to get plenty of opportunities to do that."
With their place in the semi-finals of the Cup secured, Radford's treble-chasers have an opportunity to open up a four-point lead at the top of Super League with three games left before the split for the Super 8s and the coach is confident his players will not have their minds on Wembley.
"Once the video review of the cup tie was done, we want to put a line in the sand until the week before we come up against Wigan because there are some pretty important fixtures prior to that game," said Radford.
With the luxury of a fully fit squad, Radford is able to give skipper Gareth Ellis, in-form full-back Jamie Shaul and prop Liam Watts the chance to rest minor injuries against a side lacking confidence and key men.
"There's some niggles there that we're managing," he said. "Thankfully we've got a healthy squad which allows us to make those changes without it being massively noticeable.
"There's four games leading up the semi-final and everybody who is fit will want to be playing in that. I've challenged the players to put their best foot forward in these next four games."
Among the Giants' absentees is stand-off Danny Brough, a Challenge Cup winner with Hull in 2005 and widely recognised as having the best kicking game in Super League, which comes as something of a relief to Radford.
"Whoever plays on the wing and full-back for us on Thursday will be pleased about that as well," said Radford.
"He's obviously a very dangerous kicker of the football and pivotal to a lot of the good stuff that team does.
"They'll be bringing in a different type of player probably in Ryan Brierley, who poses different threats."
While Hull are seeking a 16th win from their last 17 league and cup games, Huddersfield are hoping for only a second win in six to lift their spirits ahead of their Qualifiers campaign.
"We were where they were last season, but within the eight," said Radford. "We had a period where we had nothing to play for in essence but I think personal pride kicks in and they will obviously want to find some form before the eights.
"They're a good side with some really good individual players and we're preparing for Huddersfield's best."
Huddersfield Giants: Ryan Brierley, Jake Connor, Eorl Crabtree, Leroy Cudjoe, Jamie Ellis, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Josh Johnson, Michael Lawrence, Kruise Leeming, Jermaine McGillvary, Darnell McIntosh, Nathan Mason, Aaron Murphy, Sam Rapira, Oliver Roberts, Tom Symonds, Ukuma Ta'ai, Kyle Wood, Sam Wood.
Hull FC: Josh Bowden, Mahe Fonua, Chris Green, Dean Hadley, Danny Houghton, Sika Manu, Steve Michaels, Mark Minichiello, Curtis Naughton, Frank Pritchard, Leon Pryce, Marc Sneyd, Fetuli Talanoa, Scott Taylor, Jordan Thompson, Carlos Tuimavave, Jansin Turgut, Danny Washbrook, Kirk Yeaman.
Watch Huddersfield v Hull FC live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Thursday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.