Matt Dufty's remarkable recovery from knee surgery

Indeed, the Wire head coach hinted he could feature at Huddersfield Giants this weekend just three weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

The full-back has not played since scoring a hat-trick in the Magic Weekend victory over Leeds Rhinos having played through the injury he sustained in the first half at Elland Road.

Further examination showed an injury that required surgery, and a recovery period of four to six weeks was mapped out.

However, Burgess has hinted he would like to get him back onto the field before the play-offs begin – and that could come at the John Smith’s Stadium this weekend.

“We want to get some momentum going with him but won’t push him, but he’s doing really well,” Burgess said of the Australian.

“We’re happy with his progress. He could play this weekend – he’s very close."

Matt Dufty has not played since Magic Weekend (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

In an in-depth injury update at this week’s pre-match press conference, Burgess confirmed second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon had suffered a recurrence of his shoulder injury during the victory against St Helens on Saturday.

Fitzgibbon, who spent 10 minutes in the sin bin after making contact with the head of winger Tee Ritson, did not reappear after half time having aggravated the injury that kept him out for more than a month over the summer.

“We don't know the full extent of it yet, we'll just wait and see how it goes,” Burgess said of Fitzgibbon, who is ruled out of the Huddersfield game in any event due to a one-match suspension.

“It's a pretty fluid situation so we'll wait and see.

“It's the same shoulder, he's got a few issues with it so we'll get another opinion on that to see what we can do.”

Lachlan Fitzgibbon only returned from a seven-game absence in the recent defeat at Leigh Leopards (Image: Mike Boden)

Burgess confirmed there were no fresh injuries of great concern ahead of the Round 26 fixture, and that prop James Harrison looks set to be in contention for a return to the fold after missing the past two games with a lower leg injury.

He also gave an update on Stefan Ratchford’s progress as he works his way back from multiple facial fractures sustained in the Round 18 victory at St Helens.

“I think he's actually seeing a specialist today, so we'll know a bit more about it soon,” he said of the club captain.

“I think he has to get secondary clearance so he's done that today and then I think he'll be up for selection within the next week, so he'll be there or thereabouts for selection.

“The surgeons are brilliant these days. It looks pretty bad but they can recover pretty well usually.

“Stef is a great professional too so he will get the best out of himself.”

On Harrison, he added: “He's in the 21.

“He's looked good at the start of the week so he'll be there or thereabouts, so he'll be close to the team this weekend.”

Finally, Burgess issued a concerning update on youngster Wesley Bruines, who is yet to make an appearance for The Wire at any level having suffered a torn hamstring in pre-season before suffering the same injury on his other leg upon his recovery.

“He's had a really tough year with injuries,” Burgess said.

“He's not managed to find any consistent time on the field but it's not through lack of effort because he's been brilliant in his rehab but every time he gets to a certain level of fitness he picks up a niggle and then it's another four weeks here, six weeks, and then eight weeks there so it's been a tragic year for him really when it comes to his body.

“It's been a tough 12 months for him.”