NATHAN Brown is looking forward to the challenge of Huddersfield Giants and will give everyone in the squad the chance to make themselves available for the big match.
Fresh from the dramatic win over Leeds Rhinos his side head into the Tetley’s Challenge Cup Fourth Round tie at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday full of confidence.
And whilst the suspended Jon Wilkin and the injured Richard Beaumont and Mark Percival will be unavailable, Brown says everyone else has the chance to prove their fitness – and build on Saints’ great start to the campaign.
“We came through a tough game on Friday and a number of players are carrying bumps and bruises – as I’m sure is the case at Leeds too,” he said. “It’s been well documented we’ve had a fair few guys not available in the past week or two. The medical staff are working hard and we’ve earmarked the cup being what it is to try and get them 100 per cent fit.
“Things are looking good for some players; some players are touch and go and some have no chance. We will run a number of fitness tests on Thursday and hopefully get our fair share through.
“We will then go to Huddersfield and hope the guys that integrate back into the team work as hard as the guys did on Friday night.
“When you coach and play for so long you have great performances for many different reasons. But to beat a Leeds team like that, with a number of players out and players filling in at many different positions, was quite a remarkable effort.
“As time goes on I’m sure it will be seen as one of the great wins for the club at Langtree Park.
“People want to turn up to see two quality sides going at it and it was rocking last year when we went over to Headingley for the play off qualifier. It was the same on Friday and I’m sure we will play each other a number of times again this season.”
Saints take on Huddersfield on Sunday in what will be a blockbusting Fourth Round tie.
They failed to beat the Giants last season but head into the contest full of confidence and top of the First Utility Super League.
“It’s a tough draw first up,” Brown added. “We know if we want to get to where we want to be then you have to beat the good sides. They have all their good players fit now and whilst they not be going as well as would have liked we will be preparing for the side that pushed Leeds close and beat Wigan.
“It will be tough game no doubt and we will have play well to get the result we want.
“You want to play the good teams with both sides being fully fit. We know we have players out but we showed the other day the spirit and confidence is good here and whoever plays will fight hard. We know what Huddersfield are capable of but we know what we are capable of now too.”
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