Jordan Rankin signs short-term deal with Huddersfield Giants

The 25-year-old utility back, who enjoyed two seasons with Hull from 2014-15, is back for a second stint in England, having joined the Giants on a short-term contract following his release by Wests Tigers.

"I think there's still the best of me to come," said Rankin, who is set to make his Huddersfield debut at Salford on Sunday. "I've got untapped potential I believe.

"I've got a lot to learn, especially playing so many different positions. I want to try and crack down one or two positions where I can have a big influence on a team.

"I know the last stint over here was pretty decent and I think I've come back a more experienced player than when I left."

Rankin's short-term deal with Huddersfield, which runs to the end of the season, puts him in the shop window, affording him the opportunity to speak to other clubs about his long-term future.

"It's a six-month deal but with the footy I intend to play, I know that will sort itself out," he said. "I've just got to back myself. I've done it once before and it paid dividends. I'll just continue to work hard and, if the opportunity comes up to stay longer, then I'm open-minded to it.

"Obviously there's plenty of clubs out there in Super League. It's a very interesting situation to be in."

Rankin made NRL history by making his debut , for Gold Coast Titans, at the age of 16 and admits he failed to live up to all the early hype in what he concedes has been a chequered career back home.

"Obviously I started when I was really young and it's something I'm very proud of," he said. "It' something that no-one can take away from me but I probably didn't adapt to things very well as a kid coming through with a lot of pressure on me.

"It's not very often you see 16-year-olds in the paper every day and cameras following you everywhere but that's part and parcel of the NRL, it's pretty cut-throat over there.

"I had to learn how to deal with those things at a young age and thankfully it hasn't deterred me from living out my dreams and playing professional footy."

Rankin, who played his last match only a fortnight ago, featured largely in the halves for Hull but is set to make his Huddersfield debut at full-back in the absence of the injured Jake Mamo.

"I'm fit and fresh and ready to go," Rankin added. "At the moment I'm probably playing full-back with Jakey Mamo out injured and I'm looking forward to getting out there and putting my best foot forward for the team."

Meanwhile, Stone has confirmed the club is in talks with out-of-contract Tongan international Ukuma Ta'ai about a new deal amid reported interest from Toronto Wolfpack.

The Canadian newcomers are waiting to hear back from the 30-year-old former New Zealand Warriors forward, who also has a contract on the table with the Giants.

When asked if talks were ongoing with Ta'ai, Stone said: "I'd like to think so. Hopefully we're pretty close to sorting out Ukuma's deal long-term."