Hull FC hooker Amir Bourouh will see a specialist to determine the severity of a facial injury suffered away at Catalans Dragons last Saturday. Bourouh left the field in Perpignan following a bang to his cheek and has a crack on the bone.
The 24-year-old is now awaiting specialist treatment but has trained in non-contact sessions this week, with the club looking after their new recruit, who has been one of the side’s most consistent players this season, ahead of next Friday’s game against Castleford Tigers.
Proving an exclusive update to Hull Live, head coach John Cartwright said: “He’s had an x-ray, but he’s waiting to see a specialist. He’s got a crack there, but we just have to wait and see what the specialist says.
“It was a painful one at the time, but he’s not feeling any pain now. He doesn’t need an operation; that’s the good thing, so we’ve just got to wait and see the specialist.
“We’re just looking after him now. We won’t know (if he can play next Friday) until later.”
Elsewhere, Hull will make a call on Jed Cartwright next week. The back rower has been out for over two months with a hamstring injury but is closing in on a highly anticipated return.
Cartwright was considered for the trip to Catalans last week, but the club’s medical staff opted not to risk the player, who is in full training and eager to get back.
“It’s always week by week, mate,” Cartwright explained. “We’ve been testing him, and we’ll test him through the week and into next week. We’ll then see how it is and then go from there. It’s the same with Jordan and Liam.”
Hull also remain without John Asiata, whose hamstring injury has been diagnosed at around 8-10 weeks. Ligi Sao and Roman Dawson are also in rehab after season-ending injuries. However, Cade Cust is training and hopeful to return after missing the Dragons win with a hip injury.
Meanwhile, Cartwright also paid tribute to Oliver Holmes, who has been forced into retirement after a troublesome knee injury. The back row forward tried multiple injections after an operation in a bid to return to the field but was unsuccessful in his efforts.
“He’s given everything he possibly could to try and get back,” Cartwright added. “We’ve tried everything. He’s worked so hard, and we really feel for him.
“He was a popular and important member of the squad. We’d have loved to have seen him out on the field in Super League, but it wasn’t to be.
“The players respected him. He just came across as a really honest fella. I would have loved to have seen him play. I think he would have suited our style and the type of team that we are. It’s really unfortunate.”