Big news from Andy Last.
Hull FC prop Herman Ese’ese. (Image: Hull FC)
Herman Ese’ese will make his long-awaited return to the Hull FC side at Warrington Wolves on Friday night, Andy Last has confirmed.
Ese’ese has missed Hull’s entire season to date after battling his way back to fitness following an Achilles tendon rupture suffered against Leeds Rhinos last August.
However, the front row forward, arguably the best prop in the game prior to his injury last season, will now make his return to action in what is a big boost to a Hull side missing 14 players to injury and suspension.
Elsewhere, Last has confirmed that Aidan Sezer will also return to the Hull side. The club captain was left out of the team to face Leigh Leopards last time out but will make his comeback after a good response in training over the last week.
“Herman is fit and ready,” Last said. “He has ticked off the boxes that he needs to. We’re looking forward to him playing and we’re expecting a big impact from him.
“It’s been a long time since he has laced up the boots and pulled on a Black and White jersey. He’s really keen to get out there and help the boys with their performance. The stature that he has within our group is huge so it’s going to be exciting to see Herman go.
“There’s been a lot of positive reinforcement, telling him what he’s doing well. It’s a long road to recovery after an Achilles injury, and it’s not all on an upward trajectory. You have some peaks and some troughs and obviously Herman has had some of both.
“But what he has done is he’s maintained a positive focus that he wants to help the club in a real positive way when he comes back. I’m anticipating a big performance from him. And I know the group are excited to play alongside Herman again because we’ve seen the type of player he can be. He can have a real big impact on us as a team.
“We’ve certainly missed him, and he poses a real threat to opposition teams because of his ability to carry the ball, his late footwork, his offload, his size, and just having that presence and that experience that he’s got. I’m hoping for a really, really big impact from him.
“We know he’s not going to be 100% straight away. He’s not going to be in the Man of Steel points-scoring form that he left us in nine months ago, but we know he’s capable. He’s done a lot of work. He’s trained well.
“He’s had probably the last fortnight in with the boys training at the level which we need him to train at to participate in Super League, and he’s come through that with no issues. If anything, he’s probably looked sharper than I was expecting him to be. I’m excited to see him go and I’m ready to see what he can do for us on Friday.”
And on Sezer, Last added: “He will be in the side this week – he will start. He has responded to the feedback that I gave him very, very well. He was good in and around the group and he supports his teammates. And he’ll be playing well, I should think, on Friday night.”