The latest on Hull FC’s players after a tough win over Huddersfield.
Hull FC back row forward Joe Batchelor.(Image: SW PIX)
Andy Last has outlined a few bumps and bruises in the Hull FC camp following Saturday’s 36-12 victory over Huddersfield Giants.
The Black and Whites did it tough with 15 players out due to injuries and suspensions, and they felt the physicality during the clash, too, managing some of their forward pack and feeling the pinch with a couple of other players as well.
However, nothing too serious is thought to have arisen from the clash, with Aidan Sezer leaving the field with a tight groin and Lloyd Kemp reporting a tight hamstring. The likes of Jed Cartwright and Joe Batchelor were both managed with Will Kirby, instead producing a herculean 80-minute effort in both the middle and back row positions. Hugo Salabio also passed his HIA in the second half.
“We were managing a couple of boys going into the game, those long-term returns from injury in Herman (Ese’ese), Jed (Cartwright) and Joe Batch,” Last told Hull Live post-match.
“Then Aidan Sezer, we pulled him off at the end of the game just because his groin got a little bit tight. Lloyd Kemp also said his hamstring was a little bit tight and then we just managed the big bloke’s minutes. It was a stressful game in terms of rotations and trying to manage it at half-time. It was a little bit of ‘What are we going to do here?’ but we came through.”
Asked which of the 15 currently out are closing in on a return for Friday’s home game against Wakefield Trinity, Last said: “Lewis Martin’s a chance, Davy Litten, possibly. Belly (James Bell), probably not. We’ll just see where we’re up there.”
On Salabio, who played his third consecutive game since coming back into the team, Last said: “He went back on so he passed his HIA, but you never know with Hugo, but no, he’s okay. He’s fine.
“I asked him, is everything okay? And he said, ‘Yeah, there was no problem. Somebody in the stand must have thought that I banged my head.’ He ran, he sprinted off, and he did his HIA, passed that, went back out there and had some strong touches.
“He’s been someone we’ve had to use over the last two or three weeks and he carries a ball strong and did a good job.”
And on the Frenchmen’s future, with the prop out of contract at the end of the season, Last has challenged the player to keep having a dig. He added: “That’s all you can do: go and put your best foot forward and try and do the best you can, run the ball hard, and tackle hard. Hugo certainly does that.”