Danny Brough claims: Storm in a teacup


Huddersfield coach Rick Stone has labelled a report casting doubt over the future of Danny Brough as a "storm in a teacup".

A national newspaper report claiming the Scotland captain was set to leave the club following a bust-up with Stone surfaced just hours before the Giants' game at Wigan on Sunday, but the coach dismissed the speculation as "unfounded" at his weekly press conference.

Huddersfield say they have passed the matter on to their lawyer, and Stone on Wednesday named Brough in his 19-man squad for Friday's game against Leeds.

"He's as good as gold," Stone said. "It's disappointing for the fans when unfounded reports come to fruition.

"We didn't take too much notice of them. It's a bit of a storm in a teacup as far as I'm concerned."

Stone, however, did admit the report could have potentially had an unsettling impact on his side's preparation for the Wigan game.

"I suppose it could have," he said. "You never like to destabilise a team, that's for sure. To get the best out of them you want to have a stable environment and that wasn't good leading up to a game.

"We had to be professional and get on with it. We're disappointed about reports with no factual foundation but we move on. We've got bigger fish to fry.

"Broughy generally brushes things off. He's been pretty good for us this year and while he hasn't been perfect, his effort is always there and that's the main thing."

Brough, who kicked four goals in a 16-16 draw with Wigan to cement his place in the top list of all-time scorers, found himself with a new half-back partner following the decision to axe Ryan Brierley after the 34-0 defeat by Leigh.

Stone switched Lee Gaskell into the halves, with Darnell McIntosh re-introduced at full-back for his second Super League appearance, and says he is set to stick with the new combinations for the visit of the Rhinos.

"It was a pretty hard decision to leave Ryan out but it was one I think we needed to make after the previous week," Stone said.

"I think Gasky added a little potency to our attack. He's played in the halves most of his life and has got a good long boot which can take a bit of pressure off Danny.

"Darnell's performed pretty well in his three games and has done all he can to make sure he keeps his place."

Huddersfield welcome back second rower Dale Ferguson from injury while Leeds have Jamie Jones-Buchanan back after a three-match absence with a foot problem. 

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