Hull FC have a spine doubt for Catalans, with a big call in the outside backs to come.
Hull FC coach Andy Last.
Cade Cust is a doubt for Hull FC’s Super League match at Catalans Dragons this Saturday night, with the club monitoring a shoulder issue. The Black and Whites will travel to Perpignan on Friday ahead of the clash at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, with a call to come after Thursday’s training session.
Managing the pain, Cust has fought through the pain barrier in recent weeks, playing with injections, and is the only fresh concern following last week’s defeat to Castleford Tigers. The issue is a long-term one, with Cust also injected at Warrington Wolves back in June, playing for an hour at loose-forward that night.
Hookers Amir Bourouh and Will Hutchinson are available, should the Aussie not pull through.
“Cade is nursing a shoulder injury that he’s been battling with for the last three to four weeks,” interim coach Andy Last said. “Hopefully he will pull through but the game might come too soon for him.
“It will be a late call. We’ve got another session on Thursday. We travel on Friday. We’ll see how he comes through Thursday’s session. But he’s been doing it tough. He’s been taking painkilling injections in his AC joint. He took a couple last Friday and he could still feel it (the pain).
“We’ve got to try and manage it until the end of the season, but he’s a tough kid and I’m sure if he gets close to full fitness, then he’ll put his hand up to go out there with the boys.”
Elsewhere, veteran outside back Tom Briscoe will be back in contention to play at Catalans after a recent back issue, with Last now weighing up whether to play him on the wing or at centre.
Lewis Martin and Harvey Barron have lined up on the wings for the last two games, with Davy Litten and Arthur Romano in the centres last week.
“He’s back and in consideration for selection,” Last said of Briscoe. “Lewis and Harvey have done a good job in Tom’s absence.
“I’ve got to make a decision and get the balance of the team right now. I don’t think any of those wingers have been playing poorly. I thought Lewis carried well and took his try well last week and Harvey has been playing strongly.
“Whichever combination we go with, they’ll do a good job. There’s also the scope to play Tommy as a centre. There are a couple of things that we just need to finalise before Saturday.”