Hull FC were impressed with Max Wood in his first stint at the club and are already open to a longer deal.
Hull FC forwards Max Wood and Harvie Hill celebrate victory over Huddersfield. (Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC are hoping they can keep Warrington Wolves prop Max Wood on loan for the rest of the 2026 season. The Black and Whites have signed the 22-year-old on an original one-month deal and are already open to a loan extension should circumstances allow it.
Wood – who is contracted at Wire until the end of 2027 with an additional year option – had a previous two-game spell at Hull back in June but was recalled by his parent club due to injuries elsewhere in Sam Burgess’ squad.
The hope now is Wire will go injury-free, with Wood, whom Andy Last believes is a ‘good fit’ for Hull, having a longer stay at the East Yorkshire club. He will go straight into the side for Thursday’s derby against Hull KR.
“He adds a little bit more mobility to us and an engine as well,” Last said. “He was able to punch out some good minutes for us in the middle of the field. He showed his versatility for us as well. He was comfortable in the middle unit, but he was also comfortable on an edge.
“He’s come through some excellent systems at Wigan and Warrington, so he’s well educated, he knows his role, and he’s someone who has fitted into our group tremendously well.
“We’re really thankful to Warrington for giving us the opportunity to take Max and he’s going to gain a great deal because he’s going to play in a high-pressure game in front of a big crowd in a derby. It’s a special occasion and it’s one which I know Max is excited about.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him in his first derby for Hull FC. He’s trained with us this week. He was with us on Monday. He was part of our recovery day on Monday and he trained again today (Wednesday). He’s been in and amongst it.”
On the loan move and any option to extend, Last continued: “It’s just an ongoing, working dialogue between the two clubs. If Warrington need to bring him back, I’m sure they will reach out to us.
“Again, he’s been a good fit for us, so we’d like to try and obviously keep him not only for the month but for the rest of the season, but that’s something that the two clubs will communicate as and when the time is right.”
Wood is a direct replacement this week for Yusuf Aydin, who suffered a category one head knock against Leigh Leopards last week. The forward is already back training and is expected to pass his return-to-play protocols in order to feature at Huddersfield next Thursday (July 30).
“He’s okay,” Last said. “He’s just going through all the return-to-play. I sound a little bit like a broken record in regard to the HIAs, but they have to follow a process, tick some boxes, and make sure that they don’t suffer any symptoms, but, yeah, Yusuf is fine. He was doing his running today and he’s suffering no symptoms.”