Hull FC vs St Helens team news with 3 doubts and 20 ruled out

Hull FC host St Helens today with the Red Vee desperately trying to cling on to their playoff hopes. A five-game losing streak has left them on the edge of the top six with Leeds Rhinos and Leigh Leopards chasing them down.

Points difference is in the favour of St Helens and means that even if they do lose to Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos beat Salford, Paul Wellens’ side would retain sixth spot.

However, considering St Helens were atop Super League not that long ago it’s a shocking slide with the current run of league losses the worst since 1986, marking a 38-year low and a first for the Super League era.

As for Hull FC, they’ve become accustomed to losing in recent years but none more so than this season with the Black and Whites picking up just three wins all season, however, one of those has come of late against champions Wigan Warriors.

Simon Grix’s side will fancy this game against St Helens given their opposition’s current form and the fact FC’s three wins have all come at the MKM Stadium. Both teams continue to have huge injury lists though, here’s a look at the team news ahead of the contest.

Hull FC Team News

Simon Grix has confirmed season-ending injuries for Liam Sutcliffe and loanee King Vuniyayawa meaning that they will both miss out. Another blow is the suspension for forward Ligi Sao who picked up a two-match ban after his red card last week.

There have also been fitness doubts surrounding Herman Ese’ese who has been one of the shining lights for Hull FC this season, whilst Jack Ashworth also struggles with an ankle issue.

Those injuries to the pack have been remedied by loan moves for Leon Ruan and Sam Eseh Jr although only Leeds Rhinos’ Ruan will be available today and he could well be called upon.

One man who won’t play is young Jack Charles with the playmaker featuring for Hull FC’s academy against St Helens last night, meaning a half-back pairing of Jake Trueman and Jack Walker, with a recall for Logan Moy at full-back is likely.

Those absences add to Hull FC’s long list of previously injured players.

St Helens Team News

St Helens saw their woes worsen when the disciplinary news came on Monday with captain Jonny Lomax hit with a Grade E charge for head contact. At tribunal on Tuesday, he was handed a three-game ban meaning Lewis Dodd will almost certainly come back into the fray.

Making matters worse was the news of Jack Welsby’s lay-off following his hamstring injury with the England full-back set to miss eight weeks of action, likely all bar one of the remaining Super League games.

There is a boost in that Morgan Knowles is expected to return whilst Joe Batchelor could too, both being named in the 21-man squad, but young prop George Delaney remains a doubt after a leg injury. As well as Lomax being suspended, veteran centre Mark Percival was also handed a one-match ban meaning Paul Wellens could be looking at youth in his centres once again.