Andy Last has confirmed the devastating news that young forward Will Kirby has suffered an ACL injury, something that will rule the 20-year-old out for the remainder of the season for Hull FC.
It’s a huge blow for the Black and Whites as Kirby had only recently forced his way into the team and was being highlighted for plenty of praise, including from interim coach Andy Last.
Having made his season debut in round 12, Kirby nailed that spot down but last Friday’s loss at home to Wakefield saw him go down with a knee injury that has since been confirmed to be an ACL.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside in his weekly presser ahead of Hull FC welcoming Wigan Warriors on Saturday, Andy Last confirmed: “It’s significant. He’s done his ACL. It’s tough news for us as a club and really tough news for young Will.”
Last added: “It’s sad really, he’s just got his opportunity in the first team, played a couple of games back-to-back. He’d earned my confidence and his teammates’ trust and then unfortunately, the game finds a way to knock you down.
“It was a non-contact injury, just stepped off it and obviously his knee buckled and unfortunately, he’s done his ACL, so he’s going to be out for a significant period of time.”
In suffering an ACL injury, Kirby becomes the latest Hull FC player to be set for a long period out. Will Pryce suffered the same injury back in February whilst John Asiata has been out since Good Friday with a hamstring injury, and Last pointed to both men as those who he expects to help support the 20-year-old.
Last admitted: “It can be a long recovery. They can be career-defining. They strengthen your mental resolve. Your body can come back a lot stronger from them.
“There’s some senior blokes, John Asiata, Will Pryce, they’re all passing on their expertise and experiences. It is just part and parcel of the game but it’s just a shame for Will because he found a little bit of form and a little bit of traction in the first team.”
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Hull FC loanee returns to Leeds Rhinos for treatment
Will Kirby was not the only player to go down in last week’s loss to Wakefield Trinity as second-rower Ethan O’Neill also picked up an issue.
The forward, on loan from Leeds Rhinos, suffered a hamstring injury and whilst it’s not ‘significant’ according to Last, the former Leigh man will still return to Headingley to undergo treatment.
Asked about that injury, Last said: “It’s just a little grade two, not a significant one.
“We were struggling a little bit with the tendinopathy in that hamstring, so that was just a loading issue and he just felt it in the game.
“We had to actually do a bit of ongoing treatment with him during the course of the match. It didn’t feel as though he could fully open up, so we got it scanned and then obviously the scan results come back and there’s a grade two in there.”
Last also confirmed: “He’s gone back to his parent club and they’ll be treating him with a view to getting him back fit and available as quickly as possible.”
Whether O’Neill returns to Hull FC after that treatment is completed is to be seen as it was not a season-long loan and circumstances may change at both clubs during the course of O’Neill’s recovery.
