The Hull FC injury latest as updates given on James Bell, Aidan Sezer, Harvey Barron and Jed Cartwright.
Hull FC forward James Bell.(Image: Hull FC)
Hull FC could welcome back James Bell into their side at Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night. However, head coach John Cartwright has confirmed that the club won’t make a final decision until later in the week.
Bell is yet to feature for the Black and Whites, having suffered a knee injury in a pre-season wrestling session back in December, but the player has been in full training for the last few weeks and is closing in on a return to action. That return could come at Wakefield, but again Hull aren’t prepared to rush into any early call.
Elsewhere, Aidan Sezer is being monitored, with the club giving their skipper as much time as possible to prove he’s good to go following a poke in the eye against York Knights last week. Hull are also set to be without Harvey Barron (ankle) and Jed Cartwright (hamstring), with scans to determine the full extent of their injuries. On a lighter note, Ligi Sao is available again after serving a two-match suspension.
“We won’t know until the end of the week,” Cartwright said on the potential return of Bell. “But Ligi will be back – we’re getting a few middles back.
“He (Aidan) is (still suffering) to a degree. We’ll just have to wait until Thursday.
“There’s nothing that requires surgery or anything like that. We’re told it’s a time thing – we’ll give him until Thursday and then go from there.”
On Barron and Cartwright, the head coach continued: “Jed and Harvey get scanned today (Monday). We’ll get the results tonight.
“It’s the second one (hamstring) for Jed. Like any injury, they go through their sessions in the build up and there’s nothing abnormal there. Sometimes accidents happen.”
Cartwright also reacted to Joe Batchelor’s injury for the first time, with the back row out for around six weeks with a calf issue.
“It’s a really dark time for players when they get injured,” he said. “They play football and they don’t want to be on the sideline. It’s unfortunate, and the team will miss him.
“He’s a very team-orientated player and a good leader. Again, I thought his start to the season was very strong and he’ll be hard to replace, but it’s a medium-term injury and we’ll get him back with plenty of footy still left to play.”
And as for Will Pryce, Cartwright confirmed the player is doing what he can to help the team despite the crushing news of a season-ending ACL injury.
“I feel deeply for him,” Cartwright added. “He lives for his football and he devotes his life to it. He’s as professional as anyone you’ll ever see.
“He had a great offseason, and he had a great start to the season. He won us the game against Wigan. He had limited opportunity against Wigan but with what little opportunity he got, he showed what he’s capable of. He provides us with our x-factor. I feel deeply for him and for the team as well.
“He’s a character but we won’t miss that. He’s already been in since his diagnosis every day bar one. He can still help the team and provide that.”