Tom Holmes heading back to Featherstone Rovers on loan from Huddersfield Giants

Tom Holmes is on his way back to Featherstone Rovers.

Huddersfield Giants head coach Simon Woolford confirmed that the half-back will join Rovers on an initial one-month loan.

The Giants have the option to recall the 22-year-old but Woolford hopes he will stay with Featherstone until the end of the season.

Holmes joined Huddersfield from Featherstone in August last year but is currently sidelined by a knee injury.

Holmes in action for Featherstone last season.

However, he is expected to return to action within the next couple of weeks.

"Tom is three or four weeks away from playing," Woolford told BBC Radio Leeds.

"He is back in pretty much full training, there are still a few things he doesn't do.

"Ryan Carr asked of the possibility of Tom going back there and he is going to need some footy when he is fit again.

Holmes scores for Featherstone against Batley last year.

"For us it was an easy decision and an easy fit."

Holmes made 18 appearances, scoring five tries, for Featherstone last year before his injury.

On his move back to Rovers, Holmes said: “I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and getting some game time.

“After all the work I’ve done in rehab, in the gym and now out on the field, I hope I can come back fitter, faster and having learned a lot about the game while I’ve been injured, be a better player.

“It’ll be good to be back down at Featherstone and see some familiar faces. Now I just want to get down there and back to enjoying my rugby.

“I really enjoyed my time at Featherstone and the fans were always good to me, even when I left.

“It will be good to walk out in front of them again.”

Holmes signed a three-year deal with Huddersfield last August and Woolford says that they will only use the 22-year-old if they have a shortage in the halves.

He added: "We will use Tom this year if we need to but he wasn't really brought into the squad looking to play this year.

"But if he progresses and gets back on the field and plays good footy, and we need him, then we will use him.

"Our plan for Tom when we signed him was more long term.

"He will be there [at Featherstone] all year unless we need him.

"If we need him at some point down the track we have the option to bring him back."