Preview: Huddersfield v Salford (R26)

Huddersfield Giants coach Jon Sharp is adamant his side will not suffer a Powergen Challenge Cup final hangover when they return to engage Super League action at the Galpharm Stadium.

Sharp?s men need to win at least one of their three remaining league matches to stave off the threat of relegation and they face a difficult test against Salford City Reds, who need a point to guarantee a first-ever play-off spot.

"We started the rebuilding process immediately after the game," said Sharp. "Salford is an important game for us. We?ve got some targets we want to reach and Salford is part of what we want to do.

"History tells you that after playing in front of 60-70,000 and having so much media attention, it?s difficult to go readjust but it?s not an issue for us.

"We enjoyed what we?ve done but we?ve put that in a box and put to one side. We?re very, very focused on what we need to do.

"We?re highly motivated going into last three games and certainly going back to the Galpharm Stadium is going to be big advantage for us."

Huddersfield accounted for Salford on their way to Twickenham and also beat them at home in the league but the Reds are enjoying their best-ever season in engage Super League.

"They?re in pretty good form again after a mid-season slump," admitted Sharp. "It?s going to be a good challenge for us.

"Obviously, coming off the back of a Challenge Cup final defeat is a big ask for us, certainly emotionally, but everyone is fit and healthy."

Salford captain Malcolm Alker is warning his team to be wary of a backlash from the smarting cup runners-up.

"They are going to have a bit of a sting in their tails after the Challenge Cup defeat," he said. "They are going to be a bit upset.

"They?re not fancy dans and are a hard team to get over. Our priority is to get the little things right."

Sharp has the luxury of being able to bring back former Wigan Warriors utility back Kevin Brown after he was ineligible at Twickenham and he expects him to play a crucial role.

"It?s going to be big lift for us," said Sharp. "Kevin is a very effervescent-type person.

"He was very disappointed not to play in the final but he?s raring to go. We?ve also not given up on Keith Mason and maybe a couple of fresh people will give us a little bit of extra spark."

Huddersfield Giants v Salford City Reds, Sunday 3rd September, Galpharm Stadium

Squads to be confirmed.

Source: superleague.co.uk