Martin is on track to return for the derby.
Hull FC winger Lewis Martin.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC winger Lewis Martin is on course to return to the side for Thursday’s derby match against Hull KR.
The Black and Whites host the third and final meeting of the two rivals this season, clashing against the old enemy at the MKM Stadium. And Martin, out of Saturday’s Leigh Leopards game due to a failed HIA, is hoping to be back for what will be the 252nd derby meeting.
The winger has already returned to non-contact training and will hope to pass his final return-to-play protocols in a bid to return to action next week. Martin was on the receiving end of a firm York tackle that was placed on report – although no further action was deemed necessary by the RFL’s Match Review Panel on Monday afternoon.
“Yeah, he’s okay,” interim head coach Andy Last said when asked for an update. “He’s doing his return to play. He joined in training today (Thursday), but it was non-contact. He’s fine.”
Martin has played 15 games for Hull this year, scoring six tries. He has missed five games due to injury after playing every minute of every game last season, scoring 32 tries in the process.
“It’s been very frustrating for Lewis,” Last said. “It was a fairly hefty shot that he took on the chin. It got put on report; obviously it didn’t receive any form of punishment for that challenge and Lewis ended up going off the field with the HIA and now misses this week’s game.
“It’s frustrating for Lewis and frustrating for us. He needs a run of consistent selection and good form to get himself back playing to the levels that we know he can.”
Elsewhere, the likes of Ligi Sao and Arthur Romano are back in training after lengthy injuries. The duo are closing in on a return, with Last stating last week that they, along with the likes of Connor Bailey, Brad Fash, Sam Lisone, and John Asiata, are looking at an August return. A further update will be provided next week.