Hull FC assistant coach Simon Grix has confirmed that two of the club’s most influential players are expected to miss the remainder of the Super League season. Will Pryce and John Asiata have only just returned from injury, but the pair picked up fresh problems in the win over Leigh Leopards last weekend.
The Black and Whites dug out the win against the Leopards to keep hold of their spot in the play-offs for at least another week and Asiata was hugely influential in that performance, leading the way until he tweaked his hamstring in the second half of the contest.
The loose-forward was immediately withdrawn from the field and he watched on from the sidelines as Hull managed to get over the line. However, that was the last time Asiata will play again this season, with Grix confirming the bad news during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“Real sad, the news came through yesterday (Monday),” Grix told BBC Radio Humberside when asked about Asiata’s issue. “With injuries where blokes have to leave the field, you guess they’re going to be quite significant.
“It’s unfortunate because Johnny works so hard and he’s really important to our team and group but that will be him for the season. A significant hamstring injury.
“We watched him do his rehab, we saw how he went about everything, he ticked every box, he was more than ready and his first 40 minutes at the weekend he was unbelievable and he showed exactly what we’ve been missing.
“It’s a far from ideal situation but that’s the game unfortunately and sometimes the gods are in your favour and sometimes they’re not. We’ll see Johnny again in the new season but that’s a real disappointing one and tough to take after such an absence and a great start from him on his return.
“Johnny will find ways to get himself involved regardless but we’ll make him busy and hopefully get him out there in the blue shirt in the not too distant future. He can add some value on game day and he brings plenty to our group, he’s a calming influence and we need to make sure that’s still around us.”
Hull FC coach on Will Pryce and Aidan Sezer
Pryce also looks set to miss the final five games of the regular season after fracturing a bone in his foot during the first half of the clash with Leigh.
“Another one which unfortunately is not good news,” Grix said. “He’s got a break in his fifth metatarsal.
“He’s had an injury there before so that requires a bit more investigation to whether it’s surgery to fix. It’s very unlikely we’ll see Will. Like John, he’s really diligent in his prep and hes put in such a lot of effort to get on the pitch and we’re certainly a better team when he’s out there. He provides a bit of X factor and speed. It’s a loss to the group.”
Liam Watts has also been ruled out of this week’s clash with St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium after picking up a head knock late in the day on Saturday. The assistant coach couldn’t confirm whether Hull FC captain Aidan Sezer would be ready to make a return to action though after missing the club’s last two games with a shoulder issue.
“Sezer has training today (Tuesday),” he added. “He’s obviously had a bit of a shoulder issue but he looked pretty comfortable. We’ll see how he looks ahead of Friday and see how he looks then.”
