Former Leeds Rhinos player Ashton Golding set to debut for Huddersfield Giants against his old club

And Giants coach Simon Woolford has insisted there are no ill feelings between him and his ex-player Kruise Leeming who is in a similar position with the opposite camp.

Golding joined Giants from Leeds last October on a three-year deal, but is yet to play a competitive game for his new club after suffering a hamstring injury in pre-season.

Huddersfield resume their Super League campaign on Sunday when they visit Leeds for the second part of a behind closed doors double-header also featuring champions St Helens against Catalans Dragons.

Woolford confirmed Golding is now fit and said it is “highly likely” he will feature.

“He did everything right in the pre-season for us,” said Woolford of the 23-year-old Jamaica international.

“From a defensive point of view he is outstanding, he is a talker and leader for such a young player.

“He is a real mouthpiece for our team.

“He has done everything right, he has rehabbed fine and has been in full training since we got back.

“I can pretty much confirm he will be playing this week for sure.”

Leeming switched from Huddersfield to Leeds in November, a month after Golding went the other way.

The 24-year-old England Knights hooker had a year remaining on his Huddersfield contract, but was placed on the transfer list after requesting a move.

Leeds paid a fee, including young forward Owen Trout in part-exchange, but, like Golding, Leeming was injured in pre-season and is still awaiting his debut.

“I wish nothing but good things for Kruise,” Woolford insisted.

“He is a great kid and a good person.

“We had two hookers here that I was happy to share the roles with, [but] Kruise wanted to be an 80-minute type player and he was frustrated.

“I wish him well and there is no bad blood there, certainly not from my point of view. If he goes to Leeds and betters himself, I have told him a number of times he can play for England; he is a talented kid.

“I know his personality, he is going to come and want to play well and we just need to make sure we are ready for it.”

Woolford is also wary of the threat posed by Leeds’ other hooker Brad Dwyer.

“He was one of their best players in the early rounds,” he warned. “He is a dangerous character, he picks the ball up a lot and likes to jump out of dummy-half. He is one hooker who might be even better under the new rules, so they have got a couple of threats there.”

Leeds coach Richard Agar said Leeming is in contention, but Jack Walker (foot) and Stevie Ward (head) remain on the casualty list.

Of Leeming, Agar said: “He has had enough time to recover and put himself in contention. We have got a slight injury doubt on one player and it’s just [down to] the make-up of our bench. He had a fairly serious injury, but he has been very diligent and professional with his rehab and come back in terrific shape.”

Agar also praised Golding, describing him as a “great team player and a wonderful person to have around the place”.

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