The latest injury news from Hull FC.
Hull FC prop Herman Ese’ese.
Andy Last has stated that Hull FC won’t risk Herman Ese’ese at Leigh Leopards this Friday night if he’s deemed not ready to play.
The Black and Whites named Ese’ese in their 21-man squad to face the Leythers on Wednesday afternoon. It is the first time the prop has been included in a squad this year, having spent the last nine months in rehab after rupturing his Achilles tendon last August.
In training for several weeks, Ese’ese is closing in on a much-anticipated return with a final call seemingly set to be made after Thursday’s captains run.
“It’s good news to have him in the squad,” Last, speaking pre-match, said. “We still haven’t fully committed to what the team makeup is going to be, but the fact that Herman is getting closer and closer to a return is a big positive for us.
“The challenge as a coaching staff has been not to rush him back. Herman has had a lengthy layoff with a nasty Achilles injury. We are in a desperate situation but we’ve also got to be mindful that he is coming back from a significant injury and we need him to play a significant role when he does back.
“It’s the first major injury that Herman has had in his career, so he’s a little bit nervous and a little bit anxious. He wants to make sure that he feels physically ready to perform at the level he is capable of. We need to make sure we get this decision right.
“He’s a little bit apprehensive. He’s not been in this position before. We saw how devastating Herman can be in the way that he started last season. We want him to hit the ground running when he is ready to play.”
Elsewhere, Last has confirmed that Brad Fash will be out for two to three months with a MCL knee injury sustained in Sunday’s defeat to Bradford Bulls.
“It’s a significant one,” Last said. “It’s going to between 8 to 12 weeks. It’s bad news for Brad. It was a naughty challenge from Will Gardiner, which he has apologised for on numerous occasions. He’s suffered some penalty points but we’ve lost a player now for 8-12 weeks. It’s not great.”
Last also confirmed that Ligi Sao has suffered some nerve damage to his shoulder, with the club unsure on a timeframe to when the prop will return.
“Ligi has some nerve damage,” Last said. “We had good news on his MRI scan; there’s nothing major, it’s just going to be symptom-dictated now. He’s lost some power in that left side so we’ve got to allow time to be a healer. Hopefully, it heals quick.”
And on Lewis Martin, who played on despite an ankle injury, Last continued: “Lewis has a grade one ankle. He is two to four weeks away.
“It was a tough game for us, not only losing by two points, but losing so many members of our team – especially given we were already have our backs to the wall. It’s going to be a challenge on Friday night against Leigh, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
Hull have also lost Amir Bourouh to a failed HIA with the hooker hoped to be back for the Warrington Wolves game at the start of June. They will also be without Will Pryce, Jed Cartwright, John Asiata, James Bell, Sam Lisone, Arthur Romano, Connor Bailey, Matty Laidlaw, and Joe Ward. However, Davy Litten is good to go after a shoulder scare.
Meanwhile, Last’s side will be without Yusuf Aydin for the next six games, with the prop handed a hefty suspension after his red card at Odsal.
“There are no surprises,” Last added when asked about the ban. “I thought the sending off was justified. I spoke with Yusuf on Monday morning. He apologised straight after the game to the players and he came to me personally to apologise face-to-face.
“He addressed his teammates again on Monday. I said to him they’d be no case to defend you; it’s just a moment of madness, and with the way he lifted him up, the fine and ban he got were fair.”