Huddersfield need to go shopping to boost their depleted ranks

Huddersfield will be forced into bolstering their dwindling squad this week if their encouraging start to the Super League season is not to lose its impetus.

The Giants had already lost one of their major close-season signings when Matt Calland had to retire after fracturing an eye socket. Now their Australian second-rower, Anthony Colella, has decided to call it a day as well, after just six games for the club. Colella felt that a recurring knee injury was preventing him giving his best, even though his early season form had been eye-catching.

"I feel really sorry for Anthony. He's a good player, but his body's packed in on him," said the Huddersfield coach, Tony Smith. "He could have sat out for a while and continued to draw his money, but he's been incredibly honest. It gives me back a bit of faith in humanity." It still leaves Smith with another gap to fill, if Huddersfield are to continue to accumulate the points that will keep them clear of a return trip out of Super League.

"I was already in the market for a good player, but even more so at the moment," Smith said. "I'm looking close to home and further afield and I'm already in talks with some people." By close to home, Smith means the handful of players in the National Leagues who might be capable of taking the step up. But even if clubs are prepared to release those players, they have a habit of wanting a sizable transfer fee for them.

That, as coaches like St Helens' Ian Millward have complained, can make it better value to go shopping abroad. Smith has better contacts in Australia's National Rugby League than most – not least a brother who coaches Parramatta – and he will be looking for a player out of favour at a club who can do a job for the Giants.

Huddersfield hope to make a signing by the end of the week. Of more immediate concern is today's trip to Hull, who will still be kicking themselves for letting in three late tries to convert a win into a draw at Castleford on Monday night.

That game also brought them further injury problems of their own. It will be something of a miracle if Matt Crowther plays again after suffering an horrendous triple fracture of his leg and Hull are very much on the lookout for reinforcements as well.

With their overseas quota full, they have to look in the lower divisions for an outside back with a bit of pace, and Gateshead's Richie Barnett is one who has attracted their attention.

They already have one thoroughbred named Richie Barnett on their books, in the shape of the Kiwi Test centre or full-back, but another would not be too much of a good thing if he adds to Shaun McRae's options in the backline.