OLIVER Roberts admits he is “excited” about the prospect of facing some old pals on his Huddersfield debut at Odsal tomorrow.

The 20-year-old forward joined the Giants on a two-year deal following Bradford’s relegation and is loving life at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Ukuma Ta’ai, Brett Ferres and fellow new recruit Jack Hughes are all ahead of him in the pecking order but Roberts is determined to prove his class in the Giants’ opening pre-season friendly.

The Brighouse-based back-rower said: “I’m really excited about Sunday’s game and I’m 100 per cent fit after a really tough pre-season.

“I’ve played with a lot of the lads who I will be up against on Sunday and to play against them will be a new experience.

“I used to car-share with Adam O’Brien, Brooky (Adam Brook) and Sam Wood when I was at Bradford.

“I came through as an amateur playing against Alex Mellor and coming up against him would be good too.

“I’m also looking forward to playing with my new team-mates at Huddersfield.”

Roberts became a full-time professional at Odsal along with Curtis Naughton and Sam Wood in October 2012.

He made his Super League debut off the bench at St Helens in June 2013 and featured again at Wigan the following month.

Injury prevented him from playing again that season but he featured against Huddersfield and Widnes in March of last year before what turned out to be his final appearance for the club against Wigan last April, when he sustained a broken leg.

Now fully fit, he is aiming to show Giants coach Paul Anderson what he is capable of.

Roberts added: “I haven’t set myself any targets, I’d just like to play as many games as possible.

“When I get my chance I need to take it with both hands by playing to the best of my ability and proving myself.

“It’s a tough pack here with Brett, Jack Hughes and Ukuma; some really good back-rowers, but I’m up for the challenge.

“I’m also pretty open-minded and if they want me to go on loan or dual-reg, I’ll do that, as long as I’m playing rugby.

“We haven’t really talked about it yet but will probably do so after the pre-season friendlies.

“My main goal is to play for Huddersfield but I’ve got to earn that right because there are good lads in front of me.

“John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead had been at Bradford and made names for themselves and got a chance to get out of their comfort zone. They had a chance to go somewhere new and push themselves on a bit more with different people and a different area.

“I thought I would do the same and have a crack at emulating what they have achieved.”

Although now a fully-fledged Giant, Roberts admits the Bulls will always have a place in his heart.

He grew up supporting Bradford and said: “I reckon they’ve got a really strong squad and Epalahame Lauaki could be a good signing.

“They’ve kept the likes of Gasky, Danny Addy and Dale Ferguson, who are all great players, so it’s basically a Super League team.

“I reckon they will come straight back up and, even though I’m not at Bradford now, I loved my time there. I wish all the lads and the club the very best of luck.”