Hull FC head coach John Cartwright has some decisions to make with his squad, with potential spine movement and injuries to his forward pack.
The Black and Whites head to Warrington on Saturday early evening and Cartwright has had to shuffle his squad around in recent weeks.
Will Pryce arrived from Australia, making his debut against Hull KR in their Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat last Saturday, but injuries to Jordan Lane and Brad Fash during and before the game respectively have made them light on numbers in the forwards.
Cartwright was keen to praise Pryce following his first appearance and hopes that he will only add to the impressive backline for the rest of the season as he talked to BBC Radio Humberside ahead of their trip to Warrington.
The Hull FC boss said: “We’re fortunate to be able to add Will to our team. No hiding it, he’s a class player. To come out and play on the weekend and get through the game the way he did, and I thought he was really strong, I thought he added something to our team.”
Cartwright added that he was surprised that Pryce had settled in so quickly, after only arriving in the country three days before the Cup game.
Highlighting his versatility, he added: “That gives us a variety too around those key areas. He can play half, he can play six, he can play full-back. It’s a huge addition to our squad at this stage of the year.
“He’s a very naturally gifted footballer with a good football brain so it’s not going to take him long to find his place in the side. This week I think just the fact that he’s over the jet lag and he’s settled back into home, I think that’s going to help him enormously as well.”
However, Cartwright was quick to add that Cade Cust should return to the side to face Warrington on Saturday, giving them a range of options across the spine.
He missed the quarter-final against Hull KR following HIA protocols and will have to pass tests before coming back into the fold.
The Hull FC coach said: “It’s a tough one. I’ve been really happy with how Cade has played at six. He’s worked really well with Aidan. Jordan Rapana can play anywhere in the back line. I definitely see Will as a six or a one.
“It will be what’s best for the team on the day, around injuries. We also want to give them a chance to build combinations, so when we do settle on one we like to give it time.
“Cade’s got to get through some protocols before he can play, so it’ll all depend on that. We’ve got options in and around the 1, 6, 7 and 9.”
Whilst Hull FC have options in the spine, they’re lacking on numbers in the pack.
Lane and Fash are the two latest casualties to join Ligi Sao, Jed Cartwright, Oliver Holmes and Liam Watts on the sidelines.
When asked about Fash’s injury, Cartwright said: “He’s copped a bit of a tear to his calf. They seem to think it’ll be between four and six weeks. It’s unfortunate. He was doing a good job for us.”
In better news, it looks like Ed Chamberlain should be fit to play again after he limped off during the Cup game with a knee issue.
The Hull FC boss finished: “Ed should be okay. He trained most of the session today and got through. As far as what we do on the other back row, Jack Ashworth played a little bit there on the weekend.”
Hull FC head to Warrington for their Saturday game, which kicks off at 5.30pm.
The game will be live on Sky Sports+ and Super League+.
