The latest Hull FC team news. 11 out for Friday’s final game at Leeds. Two back.
Hull FC interim head coach Andy Last.
Andy Last has confirmed that Hull FC loose-forward James Bell is on track to play against Leeds Rhinos in the side’s final game of the Super League season at Headingley on Friday night.
The Kiwi missed last week’s game at former club Toulouse Olympique with a head injury but has passed the necessary return-to-play protocols and is poised to take his place in the matchday side.
Bell will be joined by Zak Hardaker, who will also return from injury after a recent calf layoff to play his last game for the club before moving to York Knights.
“Zak has ticked all the protocols and Belly has made good progress after his HIA,” Last told Hull Live. “He’s trained well this week. He gives us that link in the middle of the field and has been good for us, so I’m looking forward to having those two senior and experienced players back.”
Elsewhere, Hull will have another middle link option to spell Bell in Connor Bailey, who played in the loose-forward role away at Toulouse last week and helped the side get the ball wider and to effect. He has overcome a dead leg scare to take his place.
“I thought Connor did some good stuff for us off the bench,” Last continued. “He’s a capable footballer and he’s versatile. He can play in that back row position and in the pivot position. It’s good to have Bails back.”
Last also confirmed Amir Bourouh is on track after suffering through some illness at Toulouse, restricting his playing time to 20 minutes. However, Hull will be without the likes of Ligi Sao, who failed his HIA in France, and Sam Lisone due to ‘personal reasons’.
“Ligi has some private, personal reasons,” Last added. “He won’t be available.
“It’s a shame for Ligi (failing the HIA). He has been a good servant to us as a club for seven years. He’s always played with an intensity, which Hull supporters love. He walks that tight rope and you need that as a front-row forward to be an enforcer and intimidator.
“It’s just a shame that he hasn’t been able to go out on his terms. He copped a knock, he had a couple of stitches in that eye, and he wasn’t able to return to the field and failed his head test.
“Unfortunately for Ligi, he’s played his last game, and we wish him the best of luck in his new venture at Bradford.”
Hull also remain without several players to long-term injuries. They are Will Pryce (ACL), John Asiata (hamstring), Cade Cust (shoulder), Yusuf Aydin (knee), Brad Fash (knee), Callum Kemp (shoulder), Will Kirby (ACL), and Joe Ward (ACL). Joe Batchelor is suspended.