A Hull FC injury update – including the latest on Herman Ese’ese, Jed Cartwright, and Will Pryce
Hull FC prop Herman Ese’ese. (Image: Hull FC)
Andy Last has provided a thorough update on Hull FC prop Herman Ese’ese, with the big front rower back running in training and getting to grips with his return to play.
Ese’ese ruptured his Achilles tendon last August and has been in rehab ever since. However, despite his foot flaring up on Monday, he is making good progress, with Last confirming he will resume training this coming Saturday.
And Last, despite previous statements stating Ese’ese will return to action this May, won’t put a timeframe on the prop’s return, with the club cautious now to get the player up to speed after what was a really serious injury and ready for what is a faster Super League competition this year.
“He’s doing okay,” Last, speaking to Hull Live, said. “He had a slight setback on Monday. His foot flared up a bit from the load and the amount of running we were asking him to do. We’ve just backed off a little bit with him and done some more off-feet conditioning. He’ll be back on the training field on Saturday.
“He’s progressing well. We’ve just got to be mindful that Herman has suffered a really serious injury. He’s a big man, and with the way the game has sped up, we need to make sure that we get the time right to put him back in the team. We’ll make that decision as and when it comes. There’s no timeframe now.
“His Achilles has all healed. It’s just about getting him physically ready to play to the demands of the current game. Again, we need to make sure we get that right and not rush him back too quickly. We want Herman to be a real catalyst for us and drive the team with a positive run up the table when he returns.”
Elsewhere, Last also gave an update on Jed Cartwright, who has been out with a hamstring injury since the end of February and due to return in the coming weeks.
“He’s running okay – he was on the field today,” Last said. “He trained with the physios, doing his rehab. It’s good to see him getting some decent speeds in. He’s hit 90% of his max this week. He looks a picture of health, a big six-foot-plus forward, ripped to pieces – he’s coming along nicely.”
On the injury front, John Asiata has also had good news regarding his hamstring surgery, with his operation a success. He will be out until the latter part of the season, as will Sam Lisone, who had surgery on his pec this Thursday morning.
“John is okay,” Last said. “He’s been in and around the training environment, helping me and Grixy and giving us some advice and assistance.
“Sam has had surgery on his pectoral today. Hopefully, that operation has gone well. We’ll wait for him to come round with the anaesthetic and then we’ll have a chat with him.”
Last also gave an encouraging update on Will Pryce – even telling off the full-back, who ruptured his ACL back in February, after some Jurgen Klopp-like celebrations at Castleford Tigers last week.
“He got told off for that,” Last joked. “The old Jurgen Klopp stuff. I’m looking at him and he’s doing goose steps, and I’m thinking ‘What are you doing?’ He got a tap on the shoulder for that.
“He’s got his leg brace off now and he’s doing really well. We’ve just got to be mindful that he is a really key player for us, and sometimes he can get a little bit excited.
“It’s great to see, really. When you’re in those lonely days doing rehab, you do miss that camaraderie with the team. He gives a lot of energy around the group, does Will. He was moving well today.
“Again, he’s got the brace off. He’s on top of the swelling and you can see the definition in the quad that’s coming back, and he’s progressing well. I’m pleased for him. We’ll just keep him on the short leash when we’re winning matches.”
Arthur Romano is also continuing his rehab after ankle surgery. Hull remain without Ligi Sao (HIA), Harvey Barron (ankle), and Joe Ward (ACL). They will welcome back Joe Batchelor and Matty Laidlaw into contention ahead of Sunday’s game against Toulouse.