Lane tests positive for Covid-19
Andy Last has revealed Hull FC’S Jordan Lane is in self-isolation after returning a positive coronavirus test last week. The back-rower missed Hull’s clash with Leeds Rhinos on Thursday and won’t be involved tonight against Huddersfield Giants at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Fortunately Lane is asymptomatic and isn’t showing any signs of coronavirus, but he will not be allowed to train until his period of isolation has been completed.
Lane’s gym partner Scott Taylor has also been stood down for precautionary reasons and asked to selfisolate.
“Laney was one of the unfortunate ones who suffered the dreaded Covid,” Last said when asked about the 22-year-old’s absence.
“He’s at home but he’s not suffering any symptoms, he’s isolating for 10 days and then he’ll come back into the fold and follow the return to play from that.
“Tag was stood down from a track and trace point of view because he was Jordan Lane’s gym partner. He can’t catch a break and he’s isolating.
“It’s another example of how the Covid pandemic is affecting us and hasn’t allowed us to get our best players on the field because we’re following protocols stringently after our outbreak a couple of months ago.”
Josh Jones is still missing after suffering with the long-term effects of the virus, but Last did have good news on a number of players within his squad.
The interim head coach has high hopes of welcoming Albert Kelly and Manu Ma’u back into the fold for Sunday’s clash with Castleford Tigers, while he admits Adam Swift is also making progress as he battles his way back from a back issue.
“Swifty is starting his running which is good to see so hopefully we’ll be able to call on him in the next couple of weeks,” Last added.
“Albert Kelly is coming along well and there’s a chance that he might be available for selection for the Castleford game, which is good.
“That’s the same as Manu Ma’u, he’s a chance of playing in the Castleford game. He had a bit of an issue with an ankle so we got a steroid injection put into that which has allowed it to settle down and his wife has just had a baby so he missed a couple of days of practice over the weekend.”
Kieran Buchanan and Gareth Ellis continue to work their way back from respective dead leg and knee issues.