Huby expecting more from himself after disappointing return in Cup loss

Just a year ago, Castleford Tigers prop Craig Huby was tipped by many to be in line for a long-awaited England debut.

Approaching his 25th birthday, the burly front-row had discovered the form of his life, a big factor in the Tigers being surprise Super League leaders.

However, he then fractured a kneecap against St Helens, a ruinous injury which cruelly kept him on the sidelines for almost 12 months.

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It was no coincidence his hometown club saw their own form nosedive, so integral had he become to their progression.

After surgery and months of rehabilitation, Huby made his comeback against Featherstone last Saturday only to find himself on the end of a Challenge Cup shock at the hands of their derby rivals.

He therefore cannot wait for Sunday’s Super League action, at a Warrington side boasting two players – Garreth Carvell and Adrian Morley – who stand in his way for a coveted England shirt.

International recognition is the last thing on his mind, however, as Huby told the Yorkshire Post.

“The knee was 100 per cent fine after Fev,” he said.

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“If it wasn’t I wouldn’t have played. But I was disappointed in my own performance really. I know I’d been out for a while but I expected better from myself.

“I can only improve from there and Warrington might be the right place to do it.

“We let ourselves down and hurt ourselves off-loading when we shouldn’t, making silly mistakes and conceding penalties that cost us.

“It cut deep going out of the cup and losing to our local rivals like that and we’ve been working hard to put it right all week. Hopefully, we can rectify it on Sunday.”

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On his long absence, Huby admitted: “It’s been pretty tough going from doing the job you do every day to just being stuck at home with the wife and kids.

“She has been great really but all I wanted to do was get back with the players and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.”

Huby starts his testimonial next month while Castleford have announced another prop – 19-year-old Dan Flemming – has signed a full-time contract until the end of 2014 after impressing since moving from Halifax.