Hull FC boss lifts lid on Liam Watts frustration amid injury update

Hull FC boss John Cartwright has given an update on the fitness of Liam Watts as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.

Watts joined the Black and Whites in March after being released by the Tigers at the end of February and the hope in west Hull was that Watts could provide an experienced presence in the front-row following Ligi Sao’s season-ending injury.

His second stint at the MKM Stadium seemed to start well, too, with Watts making his debut for the club in the win over Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue a couple of weeks after joining. He looked the part in that fixture, stepping off the bench to help the club seize momentum in the contest and push on towards the top of the Super League table.

Two months have passed since he made his debut, though, and that is still his only outing under Cartwright. Watts picked up a calf injury in that game against Wakefield, but it was only thought to be minor, with the prop being ruled out for a small amount of time.

That lay-off has extended and extended and he won’t be involved tomorrow night when Hull take on Leigh. In fact, the forward won’t play again for another month, Cartwright has confirmed, with the prop’s calf tear set to take him into a third month of recovery.

Hull FC boss on Liam Watts fitness latest

“It is,” Cartwright said when asked if Watts’ situation was a source of frustration. “It’s just been a bad calf tear. It’s close to his Achilles.

“He’s had some injections in it to try and settle it down but he’s still at least a month away, I would say. It’s hard to guess injuries, but it won’t be any time in the next three or four weeks.”

Watts is one of several Hull forwards ruled out at present with the Black and Whites’ pack being battered by injuries. Ligi Sao will miss the remainder of the year, while Ollie Holmes is still waiting to make his league debut for Hull after joining from Leigh Leopards in the off-season.

Brad Fash made a return last time out against Leigh but Jed Cartwright and Jordan Lane remain sidelined.