Hull FC head coach John Cartwright has given an injury update as his side prepare to take on Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night.
It’s a short turnaround for the Black and Whites, who were edged out narrowly by St Helens on Saturday in Super League. That was a result that ensured their winless run on home soil stretched to 12 games, while it also meant they dropped out of the competition’s top six.
They have the opportunity bounce straight back into the play-offs this week, though, when they take on Wakefield at the MKM Stadium. As such, Hull fans will be delighted to hear that they approach the contest without any fresh injury concerns.
Brad Fash was perhaps the biggest concern after Saturday with the forward leaving the field through exhaustion, Cartwright said on Saturday, but the head coach has confirmed that the prop will be ready to go on Thursday night.
“He’s alright,” Cartwright said at his pre-match press conference on Monday. “He’s been injured and he hasn’t had a lot of game time since he’s been back.
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“He had to play extra game time on the weekend, but he did his job really well and he stayed out there till he was exhausted.”
Asked about Jed Cartwright, who made his return after spending four months on the sidelines, the boss added: “You have four months out of the game, it’s going to take a few games to get back into full condition.
“The main thing for Jed was that I thought he made a difference when he went out there, and he came through healthy.
“It was just get back out on the field, get a feel for the game and fingers crossed he stayed healthy and he did. Each week he’ll get better.”
Hull FC boss on Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield travel to the MKM Stadium on the back of a comfortable 44-6 win over Catalans Dragons at the weekend and their tails will be up as they look to consolidate their spot in the play-offs.
It’s a huge game in the context of the battle for the play-offs then and Cartwright is calling on his side to rise to the challenge and the occasion.
“We have to enjoy the position we’re in,” the head coach said. “If you’re scared of it or you run away from it, you’re not going to be in the contest. We have to between now and Thursday really embrace and enjoy this challenge in front of us.
“Everyone who plays the game loves playing in the big occasions and this is one of those, it’s another step along the way.
“They’re a really good side, they throw the ball around, they really test you defensively and they have plenty of resolve, they’ve beaten some good sides. Like us, they’re in the game, most games right until the final whistle.”
