Preview: Wigan v Huddersfield (R25)

Huddersfield Giants? Australian hooker Brad Drew will lose his ever-present record when the Powergen Challenge Cup finalists go to Wigan Warriors on Friday.

The 30-year-old former Canberra favourite started all 29 of the Giants? matches last season, his first in Super League, and has appeared in all 28 so far this year.

However, vice-captain Drew has been ruled out of the engage Super League clash against the Warriors after picking up a calf injury in his side?s 26-12 home defeat by Hull FC on Sunday.

With stand-off Chris Thorman also ruled out of the trip to the JJB Stadium with a hamstring pull, it means Huddersfield will be without both their captain and vice-captain for their last match before the Cup final duel with St Helens.

While St Helens boss Daniel Anderson, with one eye clearly on Twickenham, rests the bulk of his squad this weekend, Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp must patch up his walking wounded for a crucial league game but he insists he is not looking too far ahead.

"We are focused on Wigan," said Sharp. "After that we'll focus on the cup final. There are too many pitfalls if you let yourself get distracted.

"If we go into Friday's match half-heartedly, you can guarantee we'll pick up injuries and knocks.

"We need to play at full speed, be totally committed in every tackle and every carry and keep our minds on beating Wigan."

Drew is expected to be fit for Twickenham but Thorman remains a major doubt.

With two other unspecified players subject to late fitness tests, coach Jon Sharp has called up 20-year-old Bolu Fagborun for his first appearance of the season and teenage half-back Tom Hemingway.

Wigan Warriors 20-man squad: Ashton, Calderwood, Dobson, Fielden, Fletcher, Godwin, Hansen, Higham, Hock, Logan, McAvoy, O?Carroll, O?Loughlin, Orr, Paleaaesina, Richards, Tickle, Vaealiki.

Huddersfield Giants 20-man squad: Aspinwall, De Vere, Donlan, Paul, Crabtree, Gannon, Nero, Snitch, Wild, Jones, Jackson, Smith, McDonald, Raleigh, Hemingway, Fagborun, Mason, Brown.

Referee: K Kirkpatrick

Source: superleague.co.uk