Hull FC reveal major James Bell blow as squad confirmed to face Bradford Bulls

Hull FC have been hampered hugely after being dealt a big injury blow ahead of their tie with Brradford Bulls.

The Black and Whites travel to Odsal for the first time August 2014. Bradford were victorious that day, securing a 34-28 victory.

Andy Last’s side will be hoping for better fortunes this time around, as they also look to bounce back from a poor defeat to Toulouse last time out.

If they are to win, they will have to do it without key forward James Bell, who is set to miss the next four to six weeks with a meniscus injury.

The news comes at the worst possible time for the side, who have already lost Sam Lisone, Herman Ese’ese, John Asiata and Jed Cartwright in terms of overseas forwards, whilst Connor Bailey and Matty Laidlaw are also sidelined.

The Bulls have lost their last five, but will take confiedence from the fact that they very nearly beat FC back in round one, with the scores level at 20-20 heading into the final few minutes.

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Ahead of this game, Bradford revealed that five players were in contention to play after recovering from injury, and all of them have been named in the 21.

Waqa Blake, Jayden Nikorima, Eribe Doro, Jayden Okunbor and Luke Hooley were all said to be back available for selection after their respective injuries, meaning some wholesale changes in the preliminary squad.

Dropping out from the squad two weeks ago are Guy Armitage, Cameron Bate, Brandon Douglas, Alfie Leake, Ben McNamara and Mitch Souter, with the latter two returning to Leigh after a loan and serving a suspension respectively.

Opponents FC have made five changes to their last squad, with Bell being the biggest loss. Joining him in dropping out is Bailey, who fractured his clavicle and Laidlaw, as well as youngster Lennon Clark.

Harry Newman has returned to Leeds Rhinos, but they have brought in Ethan O’Neill instead. He joins Jeremiah Mata’utia on loan.

Bradford Bulls 21-man squad: Andy Ackers, Caleb Aekins, Chris Atkin, Waqa Blake, Ed Chamberlain, Eribe Doro, Greg Eden, Zac Fulton, Will Gardiner, Jamie Gill, Sam Hallas, Luke Hooley, Loghan Lewis, Jayden Nikorima, Jayden Okunbor, Eliot Peposhi, Leon Ruan, Dan Russell, Ethan Ryan, Connor Wynne

Hull FC 21-man squad: Harvey Barron, Davy Litten, Zak Hardaker, Lewis Martin, Jake Arthur, Aidan Sezer, Amir Bourouh, Harvie Hill, Joe Batchelor, Cade Cust, Ligi Sao, Tom Briscoe, Yusuf Aydin, Brad Fash, Logan Moy, Callum Kemp, Will Hutchinson, Will Kirby, Lloyd Kemp, Jeremiah Mata’utia, Ethan O’Neill