Huddersfield Giants coach Jim Lenihan has teased that there will be hooker signings made for 2027 when addressing the loan recall by Oldham of Cole Geyer.
Oldham start their Championship play-offs campaign this week and to aid them in that, they have recalled the Australian hooker who has been on loan at Huddersfield since May.
Geyer has played 15 games for the Giants, missing only one fixture since his arrival, but he now leaves and Lenihan has also suggested that Geyer will not return in 2027 based on the club’s incomings, an apparent hint at hooker signings.
Serious About Rugby League have previously reported that Goole Vikings’ Jeylan Hodgson will sign for the club and the Vikings confirmed this week that Hodgson has landed a Super League deal. It’s also been reported elsewhere that Kruise Leeming could be set for a Huddersfield return, hence the lack of space for Geyer.
On what the Giants will lose, Lenihan told BBC Radio Leeds: “There’s no doubt that he’s been playing well for us and he frees up other players in the side, not just Zac from running but also he gets through the ruck pretty quick as a runner so he’s a little bit unorthodox and a point of difference.”
When asked if they’re resigned to losing him for 2027, Lenihan admitted: “I don’t think, unfortunately at this point, that we can fit him in for what we’ve got next year.
“He’s done a wonderful job playing for us this year, as an individual and as a teammate for others, but at this point with possible inclusions for next year, he’s probably one that we’re unable to keep that we’d have loved to keep.”
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Huddersfield Giants lose George Flanagan for the year
Geyer’s recall means that he won’t be available for Friday night’s game against Hull KR and he’s not the only key player who will miss out, as both George Flanagan and Sam Hewitt have landed on the Giants’ injury list.
For Flanagan, he won’t return this season either, as Lenihan explained: “I think George is in the algorithmic world of tears. I think he’s got a 2b or something like that, which is four to six weeks, so he’s obviously done for the rest of the year.
“Sam Hewitt had a cat one (HIA) so he’s obviously on stand-down policy and I think that’s the injuries we’ve got this week.”
One man who could be a welcome boost is centre Jacob Gagai, who missed out last week. Lenihan said: “He’s trained today (Wednesday) so hopefully if he gets through today and tomorrow at captain’s run then he should be available for selection.”
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