Huddersfield Giants v Wakefield Wildcats: Challenge Cup preview
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 23/06/16 10:40pm
Wakefield coach Chris Chester is calling on his senior players to raise their game in the absence of pack leaders Danny Kirmond and Nick Scruton for Thursday's Ladbrokes Challenge Cup quarter-final at Huddersfield, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.55pm.
Skipper Kirmond has spent the last week in hospital, where he has undergone surgery for a knee infection, and vice-captain Scruton is out with a groin injury.
Veteran scrum-half Liam Finn will lead the team out at the John Smith's Stadium but Chester, who took unfancied Hull KR all the way to Wembley in 2015, needs his forwards to make up for the absence of the experienced duo if he is to repeat the feat with Trinity.
"It's something that's been mentioned in training," said Wakefield assistant coach Stuart Dickens. "Chris has asked some of the other senior players to put their hands up and lead from the front.
"In the last six to eight games, Danny's probably set a platform with the way he leads the team. He's been playing 80 minutes pretty much every week so he will be a big loss for us.
"He's still in hospital at the moment. We've not spoken to the medical team today yet but he's had surgery done which we hope has gone well. We're hoping he'll be out some time on Thursday."
Kirmond scored the only try of the match in Wakefield's 10-2 win over the Giants a fortnight ago which enabled them to complete a Super League double but stand-off Jacob Miller says that will count for little on Thursday.
"Maybe mentally it helps knowing that you've beaten them twice but on the day it won't matter too much," said Miller.
Huddersfield, second-bottom of Super League, find themselves in the same position as Chester's Hull KR side 12 months ago, with a chance to salvage something tangible from a deeply disappointing season so far.
"Anything is a welcome change from the norm," said the Giants' caretaker coach Andy Kelly, a former Wakefield boss who has stepped into the breach following the sacking of Paul Anderson and his assistant Kieron Purtill.
"It's a massive game and we've a big job, but it probably comes at the right time. The cup is a massive focus for us, it's a chance to resurrect something from what has been a disappointing season.
"Wembley is a good way off, but it's something for the players to bite into. They can get something fantastic out of what has been a difficult season."
Kelly welcomes captain Ryan Hinchcliffe and winger Aaron Murphy back from injury while Wakefield have former Huddersfield hooker Scott Moore available after being found not guilty of a dangerous tackle in his side's defeat by Leeds.
Huddersfield Giants: Ryan Brierley, Danny Brough, Jake Connor, Eorl Crabtree, Leroy Cudjoe, Jamie Ellis, Scott Grix, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Josh Johnson, Michael Lawrence, Jermaine McGillvary, Nathan Mason, Aaron Murphy, Sam Rapira, Oliver Roberts, Tom Symonds, Ukuma Ta'ai, Joe Wardle, Kyle Wood.
Wakefield Wildcats: Scott Anderson, Chris Annakin, Tinirau Arona, Joe Arundel, Matty Ashurst, Anthony England, David Fifita, Liam Finn, Stuart Howarth, Tom Johnstone, Ben Jones-Bishop, Max Jowitt, Reece Lyne, Jacob Miller, Jonny Molloy, Scott Moore, Mikey Sio, Bill Tupou, Jason Walton.
Watch Huddersfield v Wakefield live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Thursday from 7.55pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.