Giants' injury list stretched to eight with Crabtree crocked

FORMER England prop Eorl Crabtree is the latest player to be struck in Huddersfield Giants' injury-crisis.
Eorl Crabtree looks for support as Sam Powell stops his run and Joel Tomkins closes in.
Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants.  Super League Play-Off semi final.  DW Stadium.  1 October 2105.  Picture Bruce RollinsonEorl Crabtree looks for support as Sam Powell stops his run and Joel Tomkins closes in.
Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants.  Super League Play-Off semi final.  DW Stadium.  1 October 2105.  Picture Bruce Rollinson
Eorl Crabtree looks for support as Sam Powell stops his run and Joel Tomkins closes in. Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants. Super League Play-Off semi final. DW Stadium. 1 October 2105. Picture Bruce Rollinson

The experienced front-row, 33, might require an operation on a troublesome groin and is definitely out of Friday’s game against Wigan Warriors but could be missing until the end of March.

Huddersfield captain Danny Brough is sidelined with a dead leg and full-back Scott Grix a dislocated shoulder both suffered in last week’s opening loss at St Helens.

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Former England hooker Luke Robinson announced his immediate retirement yesterday due to a serious hip issue and Giants are also without fellow No9 Kyle Wood, Scotland centre Joe Wardle, prop Craig Huby and young full-back Jared Simpson.

Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson said: “Eorl played against Catalans (friendly) and his groin was sore, then he played against St Helens and he’s just not recovered.

“So, he’s seeing a specialist Thursday and he might be having surgery, so that’ll be four to six weeks.

“Scott Grix is worst case four to five months on the sidelines and Danny Brough might be a couple more weeks too.”

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Anderson has brought ex-St Helens winger Jamie Foster in on trial who hasn’t played since leaving Bradford Bulls in 2014.

“Jamie’s in and Jamie will play,” he said.

“He’s ready to play; he’s saying the right things but he’s been inactive for a while – although he’s definitely available and raring to go.

“I think it’s important we talk about who’s in rather than who isn’t; we’ve got some young players in our squad and over the next couple of weeks you’ll see the future of the Giants.

“They’ve got an opportunity to play on Sky against a big club like Wigan, and with what’s happened to us we’re not likely to get anyone back soon.”