Hull FC boss John Cartwright has been boosted by the return of Zak Hardaker ahead of Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash with Wigan Warriors.
Hardaker hasn’t featured for the Black and Whites since the opening day of the Super League after struggling with a groin injury. However, he has been passed fit to return this week and he comes into contention to play against his former club at the Brick Community Stadium.
The Black and Whites have lost the services of Yusuf Aydin, though. The prop has picked up a hip issue and will sit out of this week’s game at the very least. Sam Eseh also drops out of the fold due to being ineligible to play against his parent club, while Liam Watts is cup tied and must wait at least a week longer to make his return to action.
Wigan have seen a key man drop out of the fold, too, with Abbas Miski due to miss Saturday night’s contest. Miski was a notable absentee last weekend when Wigan thumped Huddersfield Giants after suffering with some swelling around an old injury.
Patrick Mago is included, though, having missed the Giants game through illness and that will come as a big boost given how well the powerful middle played against Hull in round two of Super League last month. Youngster Jacob Douglas steps into the squad in Miski’s absence and that represents the only change Matt Peet has made in the build-up to the Challenge Cup fourth round clash.
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley, Tom Forber, Jack Farrimond, Jacob Douglas, Harvey Makin.
Hull FC: Jordan Rapana, Harvey Barron, Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe, Aidan Sezer, Herman Ese’ese, Amir Bourouh, Jed Cartwright, Jordan Lane, John Asiata, Cade Cust, Jack Ashworth, Brad Fash, Will Gardiner, Lewis Martin, Logan Moy, Callum Kemp, Hugo Salabio, Will Kirby, Will Hutchinson, Liam Knight.
