Hull FC head coach Simon Grix has revealed that centre Liam Sutcliffe has suffered a foot injury in the club’s 24-16 defeat to Catalans Dragons.
It marks yet another injury in the outside backs for the club after Davy Litten saw his season end with an MCL injury during the win over Wigan Warriors.
The centre position has troubled Hull FC throughout the season with former club captain Carlos Tuimavave having recurring issues, however, the 32-year-old was fit yesterday and managed to get on the scoresheet.
Ultimately, tries from Tuimavave, Jack Walker and Lewis Martin weren’t enough for the Black and Whites to claim a second successive win with the home side getting the better of it in the heat.
Speaking to BBC Humberside after the match, Hull FC head coach Simon Grix expressed his disappointment and noted how the two red cards affected the game.
“There’s a feeling of disappointment. It was a tough old game, I thought both teams were committed. Playing 12 v 12s took a lot of what you practice away in the structure sort of stuff.”
Tariq Sims and Ligi Sao were both sent off in the first 15 minutes with Sims walking for moving an injured player and Sao deemed to have gone high on the returning Sam Tomkins, whom Grix accused of “playing the game” in another incident involving Jack Walker.
Hull FC Quiz: Can you name these former Super League players?
Two injury issues for Hull FC
Credit: Imago Images
It wasn’t just Liam Sutcliffe who Hull FC are left worrying about but recent loan signing King Vuniyayawa with the forward suffering a sprained ankle in the first half.
The Salford man bravely played on but was left “struggling” according to Grix as he provided an injury update when speaking to BBC Humberside.
“King’s struggling and Sutty looks like he could be a bad one, unfortunately. It’s a foot injury, but the way he’s presenting at the moment (doesn’t look good).
“King is a sprained ankle maybe. He was visibly uncomfortable coming out after that second half, we knew we had it at half-time but he wanted to do his bit for the team and go out and see what he could get through.”
For Grix, it was another two points missed out on though and it all came down to a slow start. Despite getting back into the game, he also claimed his side didn’t deserve to win.
“We dipped our toe in to start the game and obviously got off to a bad start as a result so it was disappointing. I think the damage was done early on in the game.
“I won’t say it’s dented pride because I don’t think we deserve to win, I thought they did enough to win, but a lot of disappointment in the room.”
Facing a St Helens side on a five-game slide, Hull FC will potentially be missing both Sutcliffe and Vuniyayawa whilst they’ll have disciplinary concerns over Sao and potentially even Walker for his hit on Tomkins.
