Hull FC have been dealt yet another injury blow after seeing Joe Batchelor ruled out with a calf strain.
Batchelor will miss around six weeks of action, but it comes just a couple of days after the club confirmed that Will Pryce is expected to miss the remainder of the season after rupturing his ACL.
The loss of the full-back was a huge blow for John Cartwright and the Black and Whites, and the head coach will have to move things around this week to face York Knights in order to plug a few holes.
Fortunately, though, FC have welcomed three players back into contention for this week’s game, with Zak Hardaker returning, while Jake Arthur and John Asiata have also been included after returning to training this week.
Asiata is a long-term absentee so the club aren’t about to throw him into the action before he is considered ready. But Hardaker and Arthur might just be fit enough after overcoming their respective dead leg and hamstring issues.
Changes then may well be widespread ahead of Friday’s game against York, who stunned Hull KR in round one before falling to defeat last week against Leeds Rhinos, and here’s how the west Hull outfit could line up.
Well, full-back appears to be a straight choice between Hardaker and Davy Litten. Litten starred in the role against Salford RLFC earlier this season, scoring a hat-trick, but Hardaker is the most experienced in the role and Cartwright might feel more comfortable looking his way against the Knights.
That ensures Romano keeps his spot at centre, with Litten on the other flank and the Frenchman could have Arthur making his debut on his inside shoulder. The Australian will be keen to make an impression on his home debut and FC really need him to excel after a jaded start to the season with the ball in hand.
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Connor Bailey could well be in line for a shot in the back-row after Batchelor’s injury and he’d be keen to impress against his former club.
If Asiata is fit enough to feature this week, Cartwright will surely look to ease him into the action. The loose-forward has struggled to shake off hamstring issues during his time at the club and given he hasn’t seen a minute of action so far this year, the head coach could look to bring him off the bench and limit his time on the field.
Yusuf Aydin could get the nod to start at loose-forward then, and with Ligi Sao still suspended, it seems Sam Lisone and Brad Fash could be the front-row options off the bench, while Liam Knight and Harvie Hill start.
Predicted Hull FC side to face York Knights: Zak Hardaker; Harvey Barron, Arthur Romano, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Jake Arthur, Aidan Sezer; Harvie Hill, Amir Bourouh, Liam Knight; Jed Cartwright, Connor Bailey; Yusuf Aydin.
Bench: Sam Lisone, Cade Cust, John Asiata, Brad Fash.
