Josh Reynolds honest admission on Luke Gale, his injury and Brett Hodgson

Josh Reynolds has given an extended interview to hullfc.com, explaining how hard he has been working to get back out on the field for Hull FC following a knee injury sustained last August.

It was a dream Derby debut for Josh Reynolds at the MKM Stadium in the peak of August last season, but the occasion was abruptly cut short when he suffered an MCL detachment. That was the end of his maiden campaign with the Black & Whites.

The former State of Origin halfback returned to his native Australia during the off-season, but Reynolds has explained how hellbent he has been to return to full fitness, with the aid of a former colleague.

“I spent a lot of my time with one of the physios who worked with my whilst I was at Wests Tigers, so I was focused on recovery most of the time,” Reynolds told hullfc.com.

“On Hull’s end, Paul Hatton was sending me rehab plans with regards do doing some weights or cardio. And eventually, when I was able to, I went out onto the field to do some running exercises.

“Our physio, Chris John, and the physio at the Tigers were in constant correspondence with each other, so it was a really good process that we had going on.

“To be completely honest, what Brett and the club allowed me to do in terms of being able to go back home during the off-season, I was desperate to repay the faith that Hull FC had shown in me.

“I didn’t want to go back to Australia and come back sloppy. Instead, I’ve come back in a great head space and my knee is actually better than it was forecasted to be at that stage.

“It certainly came with a territory – I was getting daily heckling from the rest of the boys in the group chat that I was having a holiday! But that was all in good spirit and I think they can see now that I was working hard on my recovery.

“I think the way I have responded to the injury is an indication of where I want to be. I’m not happy with how last year went. Injuries and Covid really had an impact on my year, so I’m pretty determined to prove a point this year.

The injury has restricted what Reynolds has been able to do in pre-season training, but he is targeting a return to action for the Black & Whites in the not too distant future.

Whilst this Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Bradford Bulls is likely to come too soon for the Australian stand-off, he doesn’t rule out taking part in the following trial match against Leeds Rhinos on 30th January.

“We’ve always looked at Round One as the main goal. Fingers crossed, we’re on track for that target, but hopefully I might be able to squeeze a trial game in, or failing that, half of a trial game,” Reynolds said.

“It’ll be great to build a little bit of confidence up in terms of getting a feel for the strength of my knee, but it’s also important to try and strike up that on-field relationship with Galey.

“The club picked him up during the off-season and I think he’s great for the group. You can tell he’s a natural leader.

“I’ve only been back in the country for a short while, but I can also see how he’s stamped his authority on the squad and that’s the sign of a true leader.

“He’s smart, he’s got a great kicking game, fantastic decision making. I’m looking forward to linking up with him on the field.”