After confirmation that Scott Taylor will leave his role as Goole Vikings head coach at the end of the year, Hull FC interim coach Andy Last has responded to the reports that the former club legend will take on a coaching role with the Black and Whites.
Championship side Goole confirmed that Taylor, in his second season in charge of the Vikings, would leave at the end of the year to take on a Super League role with reports quickly emerging linking him to a return to the club he called home for so many years.
Steve McNamara will take over as head coach at the MKM Stadium in 2027 so there is already going to be plenty of change and when asked about Taylor’s potential appointment, interim boss Andy Last pivoted when speaking to BBC Radio Humberside.
“I don’t really want to speak about potential appointments. I think it’s important to recognise and respect the people who are in position at the moment and doing a job for us.
“They’re doing a great job to get everybody available and on the pitch for us and it was important not only for the playing group to get a win at the weekend, but also the staff.”
As for when announcements of such nature can be expected, Last confirmed that he was unsure and that questions like that should be posed to club CEO Richie Myler.
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Hull FC injury update ahead of Wakefield Trinity clash
Ahead of Friday’s game against Wakefield Trinity, Last also shared a minor injury update with BBC Radio Humberside, with just two changes made to the 21-man squad.
Last admitted: “We’re managing a couple of bumps and bruises. I think most coaches are at this stage of the season.
“The long-term injuries, we’re still a few weeks way from any major returns so it’s just a case of the guys available to us now performing on the weekend.”
Further injury updates were reported by All Out Rugby League with Last confirming to them that his week’s returnees, Lewis Martin and Davy Litten, will be given every chance to play but that ultimately a late call will be made.
“I’m still not 100% sure if they will both play,” Last said per All Out Rugby League, adding: “They have both trained and they have both trained very well.”
With a number of niggles elsewhere including for James Batchelor, Jed Cartwright and Aidan Sezer, Hull FC may be wary of throwing the two outside backs into the action.
As for key men Zak Hardaker and James Bell, neither of whom are in the 21-mans squad, Last confirmed: “Zak is down to head protocols. He’s not quite made it. His neck is still a bit sore and he’s not able to play.
“Hopefully, he should be good to go for next week. He just needs to pass his head test.”
On Bell, who is carrying a knee injury, he added: “Belly is okay. He’s just a little bit sore after the exposure to running. He’s had a clean out in that knee and it’s getting on top of the swelling which is an ongoing thing.
“He’s just got to tolerate the loads we’re putting on that knee, the change of direction, etc., and then just make sure it doesn’t react in a negative way. We’re mindful of that.
“He’s missed a bit of football, has Belly so we don’t want to rush him back. We don’t want him to come back for a couple of weeks and then go missing again. We’d rather air on the side of caution and get him 100% right.”
