
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright has confirmed injuries to two players whilst providing an update on a further three as the Black and Whites prepare for the start of the 2025 season.
Before the season start, Hull still have to play Castleford Tigers in former FC man Joe Westerman’s testimonial. That game comes this weekend and John Cartwright has provided a general injury review ahead of it.
Commenting on the Hull FC website, Cartwright confirmed: “Pretty much everyone that is available will play.
“There will be plenty of different combinations played. Most of them will get around forty minutes. It’s our first hit out; some clubs have had one or two already, so it’s important that we get out and give everyone some time.”
Looking ahead, he noted: “After this game, we’ve got the Challenge Cup the following week. I’m not sure what we’ll do there, but we’ll see how healthy the squad is. That’s important to us, and then the season starts over in Catalans.”
Hull FC coach provides injury update with two to miss season start
John Cartwright has provided an injury update on the first-team squad ahead of Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Castleford in West Yorkshire.
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) January 27, 2025
Whilst the Australian confirmed that ‘everyone that is available will play’, he went on to reveal the players that were not available with two more players added to the injury list.
Matty Laidlaw and Jack Charles will both miss out and look unlikely to be fit for the start of the season with Laidlaw suffering an injury whilst playing for dual-registration partners Doncaster, and Charles going down in training.
On Charles, who was a breakout star last year, Cartwright explained: “He’s had a setback with his ankle—he rolled it. He’ll be in the boot for a couple of weeks, and then we’ll assess him when he gets out of it.
“It’s been unfortunate for him; he’s a passionate young fella, he loves his footy, and he trains really hard. Unfortunately, he’s had a bit of bad luck with those injuries, but he’s doing everything he possibly can right around the clock to get right. He’ll be back, at the very worst, on the timeframe of the season start.”
As for Laidlaw, Cartwright added: “Matty has picked up a medial injury. It’s unfortunate; he rolled down in the tackle awkwardly, and he’s picked up an MCL. He’ll probably be out for another month maximum, I’d say.”
Those timelines seem certain to tule out Laidlaw whilst Charles looks unlikely to make it in time for the season start. Rushing the youngster back could be a huge risk, particularly given the lack of depth at the position following Jordan Abdull’s departure.
Cartwright also provided updates on two of the club’s long-term injuries with both Davy Litten and Nick Stavely out for extended periods. He also revealed that Brad Fash has returned to action.
He explained: “Nick’s ACL has taken longer than what we’d have liked, but it’s an ACL—you’ve got to respect the fact that it might take longer. Not everyone is the same; he’s a big lad, and hopefully within the next four to six weeks we’ll see him progress to get him ready for selection.
“It was Fash’s first full session back today. He got through it. He’s all good. Davy is still looking at an April return.”
