Back to lift Huddersfield Giants

Andrews, who operated under fellow Australian Nathan Brown at the West Yorkshire club in 2009 and 2010, is due to arrive on Friday to take up his short-term role as the Giants look to climb out of the bottom four in the Betfred Super League.

Andrews left Huddersfield to take on the head of strength and conditioning role at the Super Rugby outfit Melbourne Rebels.

However, since then, he has worked in the performance departments of NRL clubs St George and Newcastle Knights.

Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis said: “Mark will bring a fresh pair of eyes to the coaching team.

“He will report directly to Chris Thorman assisting him in his specialist areas of preparation to play and perform at the highest level. He knows the club well and was a popular member in the successful years in 2009 and 2010 before he returned to Australia.

“He has a gap at the moment in his career path and was very keen to come across and help get us moving in the right direction.

“In typical ‘Bumper’ fashion he’s keen to get straight to training so he hopped on a plane as soon as practical and will, I’m sure, bring great energy, experience and be a great fit alongside Chris and his team of coaches.”

Meanwhile, assistant Thorman – who took over from the sacked Rick Stone last week – is still without a raft of players for Sunday’s visit from Castleford Tigers.

Stand-off Lee Gaskell and Ireland second-row Ollie Roberts could return but will be given late fitness tests tomorrow along with Danny Brough who injured an ankle in Monday’s defeat in Perpignan. Jake Mamo, Leroy Cudjoe, Kruise Leeming and Jermaine McGillvary remain sidelined.