We’re in discussions to reach Josh deal
LEAVE HULL
BRETT Hodgson has confirmed Hull FC are in ongoing talks regarding the future of Josh Reynolds as the player prepares to depart the club.
The Mail reported over the weekend that the club will look to cut ties with the Australian half-back, with senior management and the player’s representatives now holding those conversations.
Once finalised, a deal will be reached that will see Reynolds leave the club with immediate effect.
While Hull have made no statement on Reynold’s future, head coach Brett Hodgson was asked about the star in this week’s press conference ahead of the clash with Warrington.
While not giving too much away as talks continue, Hodgson did admit the future of the player is being discussed.
“There’s been a conversation with Josh (Reynolds) and his management from our club,” Hodgson told the Mail.
“We’re at the stage at the moment where we’re in discussions to reach a mutually beneficial deal for both parties.
“We’ll have a little bit more in the next 48 hours or so in terms of clarity around that. Adam (Pearson) James (Clark) and myself are constantly having conversations about what’s happening at the club. It will come to light later this week.”
Arriving from West Tigers ahead of the 2021 season, Reynolds has struggled for form.
The energetic half-back started with a bang, but has since struggled to find any consistency.
In Hodgson’s view, there’s nobody directly to blame and that it’s just one of those things that goes with the territory of signing an overseas player.
“It’s difficult to say,” the head coach stated when asked where it’s gone wrong for Reynolds.
“There’s a number of reasons. I think both parties would have wanted that little bit more.
“Josh came over here with the right intent and he tries hard every week but unfortunately it’s not worked out. It’s an important time of the season where we needed to make a decision.
“The conversations are now ongoing with himself, his management, and our club. Once they are finalised we’ll make sure we are doing the right thing for all parties.
“Josh has been disrupted with a number of injuries but it just hasn’t worked out how we all would have liked. I think confidence was a big factor and he lost a little bit. I don’t believe he was playing his best footy and I think he’ll admit that as well.
“It’s a very tough sport and you have to make sure you’re always playing to your best in order to maintain positions and form, and for various reasons which weren’t all his own undoing as well, there was some tough challenges that he faced and unfortunately, it looks now that time has now come to an end.”
As far as a replacement goes, Hodgson confirmed that FC are looking on both sides of the world.
He didn’t give anything away, but he was quick to rubbish names like Dean Hawkins and Bevan French, whilst insisting that this situation is far from the end of Hull’s season.
“We will have a look to see who we can bring in, but by no means is this the end of our season,” Hodgson added.
“We’re not giving up. This is making sure we’re saying our standards are where they’re at and we’re contributing in a way that is benefitting the team. That’s part of my coaching philosphy. I’ll always put the team first and the decisions we make throughout the season dictate that.”
HODGSON CONFIRMS AUSSIE ‘FLOP’ WILL