Hull FC suffer yet another injury blow as veteran forward ruled out

Hull FC have been dealt yet another injury blow with Liam Watts being ruled out with what could be a long-term issue.

Watts has made just one appearance in black and white since making the move back to Hull from Castleford Tigers a few weeks into the 2025 Super League. That outing came at Wakefield Trinity back in March, with Watts stepping off the bench to help the club to victory at Belle Vue.

Since then Watts’ second spell in west Hull has been blighted by injuries and John Cartwright has revealed the prop has suffered another setback. The head coach revealed Watts was in the frame to play this weekend against Salford Red Devils, but a knee issue has seen him sidelined once more.

Cartwright was unable to provide clarity on a return date, but he did explain that Watts isn’t expected to return for some time yet.

Hull FC boss on Liam Watts’ blow

“He’s rolled a knee in training earlier in the week,” Cartwright said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. “He’s had a scan, the poor fella, it’s unfortunate but it’s not a short-term injury. Don’t ask me how long, but he won’t be available in the short-term.

“It’s a major setback and in an area of the field we are a bit limited in at the moment. He would have played this week had he got through training but he’s had a little bit of a medial problem with his knee. We’ll know a little more time-wise a bit later.

“Everyone feels for him. I feel for him. He’s a good lad. He’s got a history at the club and he’s come in this year and wanted to make a difference. It’s just been one roadblock after the other, so everyone has got around him and he’ll work hard now on getting it right and playing a part between the end of the year.”

Cartwright revealed that Hull FC fans can expect a similar 21-man squad this week with the group pulling through last week unscathed, while no one is due to return from injury just yet.

Asked for updates on Jed Cartwright and Jordan Lane, who are still pushing to return from respective hamstring and arm injuries, the head coach said: “I think we said last week four weeks so hopefully it’ll be three or four weeks now.”