FC TO HONOUR SHAUL OFFER
DEAL ON TABLE DESPITE INJURY SIDELINING FULL-BACK INTO 2021
HULL FC will honour their contract offer to Jamie Shaul after announcing he will require surgery on a knee injury.
Scans have revealed Shaul suffered a ruptured ACL in the Black and Whites’ win over Castleford Tigers last week and he will need to go under the knife in the coming weeks.
As a result, the full-back is looking at a lengthy period on the sidelines as he sets out on his rehabilitation process with the club.
Fortunately medical staff at the club have plenty of experience with knee issues, with Josh Bowden and Matty Dawson-jones both recovering from ACL injuries over the last couple of years.
Shaul’s current deal at the KCOM
Stadium is due to expire at the end of the 2020 season. However, the club have made a commitment to the 28-year-old that their offer of a new contract remains on the table, in order to safeguard his future while he recovers.
FC interim head coach, Andy Last, said: “We are all really disappointed with the news, none more so than Jamie, but as a club we will ensure he gets the support and medical care he needs to help him through this period.
“I’m really pleased for him that the club have stood by their offer which will give him some peace of mind and security, which will enable him to focus fully on his recovery.”
The club have not put a time frame on the injury, but it is expected the full-back will miss a significant chunk of next year, which comes as a huge blow for the player, who scored his 100th try for the club just last month. Jake Connor is expected to play the role for the final three games of the Super League campaign, starting on Thursday with the Hull derby at the Totally Wicked Stadium, while FC also have youngster Connor Wynne available. But the injury will come as a big setback for the club, with preparations already season
Shaul has been in fine form but the injury is a big blow, particularly when it comes to his hopes of representing England at the World Cup next season.
Of course, Shaul is one of a number of players coming to the end of their current contracts at the KCOM Stadium.
Ahead of next season, though, and with Albert Kelly set to leave and cover at full-back limited, FC could well feel the need to recruit another man to play within the club’s spine.
Shaul has been a crowd favourite since bursting onto the scene under Peter Gentle in 2013 and his status was cemented when he touched down for the decisive try in the club’s 2016 Challenge Cup win over Warrington Wolves. well underway for the 2021