Hull FC dealt injury blow as forward ruled out for two months

Jed Cartwright is looking at another lengthy lay-off after tearing his hamstring, Hull FC head coach John Cartwright has confirmed. Cartwright has been one of Hull’s most impressive performers this season but his progress came to a halt at Wakefield Trinity earlier this month when he limped out of the action.

Unfortunately for the back-rower, scans have revealed a significant tear in the muscle and while no operation is needed, he’s looking at potentially around two months on the sidelines. It comes as a big blow for the Black and Whites and Cartwright himself, who has struggled with a series of injuries during his nine months at the MKM Stadium so far.

“Jed’s is just rehab,” Cartwright told Serious About RL. “It’s a bad tear and he’s going to be in rehab for a while.

“It’s unfortunate that when he gets an injury it’s a bad one but he’ll do everything he can to get on the field as quick as he can.

“I’m really happy with the way he’s played too. He’s had a bit of X factor for us and he provides aggression, he’s got an offload in him and he’s a very strong defender. Brad Fash is doing a good job in there but we’ll certainly miss him.

“It’s probably a two month injury but he’s working really hard to get back as quick as he can.”

Fash is expected to be the man named in the back-row for Saturday’s derby alongside Jordan Lane, but the head coach will be hoping Ollie Holmes can work his way back to fitness before too long. Holmes has had minor surgery on his knee but is yet to step back into full training.

“I can’t put a figure on that,” Cartwright said of Holmes’ recovery. “He’s had a clean up on the knee. He’s back doing some light work running wise so as soon as he can stretch it out fully, it’s just when he feels he can do that. He’s working hard to get back as well.”

There is some good news for Hull FC when it comes to injuries, though, with Amir Bourouh and Sam Eseh escaping injury after leaving Castleford Tigers on Thursday with minor knocks. Yusuf Aydin should be in line for his first run out in a few weeks, too, while there is some optimism regarding Zak Hardaker’s fitness.

“Cade is unavailable with the head knock,” Cartwright added. “Amir is OK and Sam trained today. They’ve both trained in full today so they’re both OK. Zak Hardaker we’ll have to give the rest of the week to see how he is.

“Yusuf should be back in this week. He did a full session on the field and in the gym.”