John Cartwright has insisted that his Hull FC side can’t be feeling sorry for themselves ahead of Friday night’s Super League clash against Leeds Rhinos. The Black and Whites head to Headingley looking to end a run of three successive defeats but are expecting to be stifled by the same back row shortage as in recent weeks.
However, despite some fatigue and a clear positional shortage that is affecting the centres and middles as well, Cartwright has challenged his side not to let the situation get to them and instead roll their sleeves up with a disciplined display centred on hard work.
As per their head coach, Hull are set to be without Jed Cartwright and Jordan Lance again, with the duo still recovering from torn hamstring and broken arm injuries. They are also without Oliver Holmes, who has an ongoing knee issue, and Brad Fash, who has a calf problem.
That means that Zak Hardaker and Ed Chamberlain will likely get the nod again, with Jack Ashworth supplementing them, but while the reality of no specialists in a key position is hurting Hull, Cartwright insists that his side, who have a welcome week off this weekend, simply have to get on with it.
“This is just a football season that every club goes through,” Cartwright told Hull Live. “You’re very fortunate if you don’t suffer any injury problems at some stage – and there might be one or two that don’t go through it, but the ten others either have or will go through it.
“It’s just not something that you can let bring you down or be negative about – it’s honesty, self-realisation, and just a ‘get on with the job mentality.’ That’s all you can do. That’s what you have to do – there is no time to be left feeling sorry for yourself.”
On his absentees, Cartwright added: “They are key men defensively – they link your middle and they link your edge. Zak Hardaker has done a fantastic job, and on the other edge we’ve had to use Jack Ashworth and Ed Chamberlain.
“They’ve tried hard, but it is an area where we are really looking forward to getting some players back. Jed and Laney, for a lot of reasons, have good temperaments; they’re good team men, and they do what’s needed for the team.
“They’re all still a few weeks away. Jed’s was a bad one, and Jordan had an operation to correct his fracture. There is no new update yet, but the medical staff and the players are working hard to get back.”
As well as their back row quartet, Hull remain without Ligi Sao (knee), Ryan Westerman (ankle), and Liam Watts (calf). Harvey Barron left the field at the Magic Weekend with a hip pointer injury. However, the club are still to determine a full prognosis.