The Black and Whites are battling through a ridiculous injury situation.
Hull FC veteran Zak Hardaker.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC are only expecting two of their injured players to come back into selection consideration ahead of their next game against Wigan Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
The Black and Whites were well beaten by Wakefield Trinity on Friday night, losing Will Kirby (knee), Amir Bourouh (head), and Jed Cartwright (tight hamstring) during a 36-10 defeat at the MKM Stadium.
They return to home turf against Wigan on Saturday 27 June, with only Zak Hardaker and Lewis Martin anticipated at this stage to be back in the fold.
Martin has missed the last month with an ankle injury. However, he is now fit and available again. Meanwhile, Hardaker needs to pass his final return-to-play protocols after failing a HIA against Warrington Wolves in a challenge that also saw the veteran hurt his neck.
“Lewis Martin is available for selection now, but he is an out-and-out winger,” Last told Hull Live when asked for potential returns. “Zak Hardaker, fingers crossed, should be back. He gives us some versatility across the whole team. And then, that’s it, really.”
If available, Last has plenty of options regarding Hardaker’s selection, whether that be at centre, in the back row, or at loose-forward, with Martin a straight shootout with either Harvey Barron or Tom Briscoe on the wing.
“That’s the position you want to be in, where it becomes tough to select,” Last said. “We want players to strive to keep pushing standards and make sure each player is at the top of their form and they are getting picked on performance.
“We want them to know that there are people chomping at the bit to take their opportunity. We need competition.”
On the injury and suspension front, Hull could be without 15 players, They remain without Will Pryce (ACL), John Asiata (hamstring), Cade Cust (shoulder), James Bell (knee), Sam Lisone (pec), Ligi Sao (shoulder), Connor Bailey (collarbone), Arthur Romano (ankle), Brad Fash (knee), and Joe Ward (ACL) all on the treatment table. Yusuf Aydin and Roman Dawson are suspended and each have two games to serve.