Hull FC were already down to the bare bones but the Black and Whites have now seen four more players suspended by the Match Review Panel. The bans come on the back of what was an extremely feisty derby contest against Hull KR with Yusuf Aydin and Jordan Rapana both being sin-binned during the game for Hull.
Both men have been suspended for the Black and Whites with Aydin receiving a Grade C charge and a one-match ban for his hip drop tackle on Arthur Mourgue. Rapana has been given two separate Grade B charges and his previous means both charges result in one-match bans.
As such, with Rapana retiring at the end of the season, the centre might just have played his last professional game, unless Hull reach the Super League play-offs.
Amir Bourouh’s previous means the Grade A charge he picked up is enough to land him a ban, while Jack Ashworth’s Grade E striking charge will be assessed by a tribunal tomorrow evening.
If found guilty, Ashworth will be looking at a minimum of six games, which would bring an end to his spell with Hull and ensure he would miss the start of next season for his new club, which is believed to be Castleford Tigers.
Add those suspensions to the injuries Hull are currently dealing with and it becomes clear just how big the headache John Cartwright has heading into this week’s game with Warrington Wolves, who have seen Luke Yates banned for the remainder of the year.
Herman Ese’ese and Ed Chamberlain were both ruled out for the season last week with Ese’ese set to miss at least the start of next season, too. Will Pryce (foot), Ligi Sao (knee), Jed Cartwright (pectoral), John Asiata (hamstring), Will Hutchinson (foot), and Liam Knight (ankle) remain sidelined, while there is some doubt surrounding Harvey Barron and Sam Eseh.
Both players missed Sunday’s derby clash through injury, Barron due to a head knock and Eseh due to a hamstring complaint, but the hope will be that both are fit. Particularly Eseh, with Hull now extremely short of middle options.
So, with all of the above missing, at least 12 players, it seems Lloyd Kemp will keep his spot at full-back. Barron’s fitness would push Tom Briscoe into the centres to replace Rapana, while Cade Cust is the most notable option to play at hooker.
That would open the door for Jack Charles or Callum Kemp to start at stand-off alongside Aidan Sezer. If Eseh is fit, he’ll most likely start alongside Liam Watts in the front-row, with Brad Fash having at least some experience of playing 13.
Will Gardiner and Matty Laidlaw are obvious options for the bench, with Zach Jebson and either Charles or Kemp making up the remainder of the 17.
Possible Hull FC side amid at least 12 absentees
Possible Hull FC line up to face Warrington Wolves on Saturday: Lloyd Kemp; Harvey Barron, Tom Briscoe, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Jack Charles, Aidan Sezer; Liam Watts, Cade Cust, Sam Eseh; Jordan Lane, Zak Hardaker, Brad Fash.
Bench: Matty Laidlaw, Will Gardiner, Callum Kemp, Zach Jebson.
