Hull FC interim boss Andy Last has provided the latest on a number of injured players currently at the club.
The Black and Whites take on Toulouse Olympique this week, but do so without a number of key players, particularly in their forward pack.
Ligi Sao is the latest to miss out, with the Samoan international failing a HIA in last week’s win over Castleford Tigers.
Sao will sit this week’s game out, but should be back in the 17 in the club’s next game against Bradford.
There is more positive news with up to three players all in contention to make their returns this week, including wing ace Harvey Barron.
Barron is one of a trio who have been named in this week’s 21-man squad, with Joe Batchelor another.
The former St Helens forward hasn’t got the plaudits he deseves, believes Last, and his potential inclusion this week could make a huge difference.
The interim boss said: “The way in which he speaks to the group, even when he’s not playing, has been superb, and we knew that when we signed him.
“He’s come from a great system, an all-conquering Saints team, and he more than held his own in that all-conquering Saints team.
“He was one of the first names on the team sheet whenever there was playing in these Grand Finals and Cup Finals and the big games against Wigan at the top of the table, and he’s brought an intensity and professionalism to our training environment.
“The young guys certainly look up to him, and it’s great to have him back in and amongst it this week and out on the training field and influencing the way that he can.”
Matty Laidlaw is the third potential returnee, after he has recovered from a dead leg suffered in the defeat to St Helens a fortnight ago.
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Hull FC coach issues updates on Herman Ese’ese and Will Pryce
Looking at the club’s longer-term injuries, Last has revealed that star prop Herman Ese’ese has suffered a slight set-back in his recovery from an Achilles injury.
The overseas enforcer had a flare up earlier this week, and with FC keen to not overload him with too much work at this stage, there is currently not a time frame for when he will next take to the field.
Sam Lisone has undergone surgery on his pectoral muscle, and is set for three to four months on the sidelines, whilst Last also revealed a conversation that took place last week, whereby he had to tell off star full-back Will Pryce.
Pryce was caught celebrating FC’s win over Castleford, but his celebrations saw him perhaps overstep the mark. Pryce is still recovering from an ACL injury, and running towards the spectators with no brace on probably wasn’t the best idea in hindsight.
On that moment, Last revealed: “He got told off for that! [celebrating]
“I’m looking at him thinking he’s doing goose steps as he’s running to celebrate with the supporters. So he got a gentle tap on the shoulder.
“I just said, look, it’s great that we’ve won, Will. You’ve got your brace off and he is doing really, really well, but he’s just got to be mindful that he’s a real key player for us.
“Sometimes you can get a little bit excited. He got a gentle tap on the shoulder from me when we got back in the changing room. I said, Will, you can’t be doing the old ‘Jurden Klopp’ and goose stepping us up towards the supporters.
“But it is great to see. When you’re on them lonely days where you’re on your own, you’re doing your rehab, you do miss that camaraderie with the team. Will obviously gets a lot of energy from the group.
“He was great today [in training]. He’s moving really, really well. He’s got the brace off, he’s on top of the swelling.
“You can see the definition obviously in that quads coming back. He’s progressing really well. So, I’m pleased for Will. We’ve just got to make sure that we keep it on a short leash when we’re winning them matches.”
