Hull FC are open to cap dispensation – but not just for a full-back. A recruitment update.
Davy Litten filled the Hull FC full-back spot against York.(Image: SW PIX)
John Cartwright has confirmed that Hull FC have looked into salary cap dispensation and recruitment options this week – and while they will further consider their stance into the weekend after Friday’s defeat to York Knights – they won’t rush into any final decision.
The Black and Whites are entitled to significant cap dispensation following a devastating season-ending ACL injury to Will Pryce away at Wigan Warriors in Super League round two last week. That dispensation allows them to take 25/27ths of Pryce’s wage off the cap and replace it with a new signing, a scenario Hull undertook last year after Ligi Sao’s season-ending knee injury with Liam Knight then joining the club.
Hull will be allowed to utilise the same dispensation rule again this year, but any new recruit will have to be domestic, with Hull up to their full complement of quota players.
“We’ve discussed it but we’re not going to rush into anything,” Cartwright confirmed to Hull Live. “There will be more discussions around that this week.
“We just have to make sure of the salary cap situation and how much there is there to spend. Our quota spots are full but again, we’re not going to rush it. Recruiting is an ongoing thing; it changes every week and it changed for us last week.”
And while it’s Pryce that Hull have lost for the season, it might not necessarily be a new full-back that Hull look to recruit. Davy Litten filled in the role on Friday, with Zak Hardaker, Logan Moy, and Lloyd Kemp also capable of doing a job there.
Given the injuries elsewhere, for instance, in the back row, there’s a possibility – especially given the shortage of rival full-backs available – that Hull utilise any dispensation to bring in a new player in a different position.
“We’re in round three and squads are settled,” Cartwright said. “There’s not a hell of a lot out there. We just have to assess our injuries and we have a few options there (for full-back). Logan is back this week and he’s playing reserve grade on Saturday and Zak can play full-back too.
“I thought Davy did a really good job tonight. He just gives you everything. He’s come up with a couple of errors, but he hasn’t played at full-back for a while (in Super League).
“He’s a competitor and he did well – wherever you put him, he’s just a bundle of energy. He was probably our best player tonight out there as well. We’ll have to assess what happens next week with a few injuries – we have a lot to weigh up before we see where we go.”
On Litten’s future in the role, with Hull next in action at Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night, Cartwright added: “We’ve got to check our injury situation first but I’ve got no problem in leaving Davy there.
“We’re skinny in the back row so one of the centres might have to slot into the back row which will leave us short in the centres – there’s a lot going on in the background.”