FC’S WALKER RULED OUT FOR MONTH
HULL FC full-back Jack Walker will be out for at least the next four weeks.
The 24-year-old tweaked his hamstring while scoring a try against Catalans Dragons on Saturday, with Tony Smith confirming a ‘significant strain’ after scans earlier this week.
However, there was some more positive news for Danny Houghton.
The hooker also left the field in Perpignan with a hamstring complaint, with the muscles tightening up. But scans have revealed no tear, and the 35-yearold will be included in Hull’s 21-man squad to face Leigh Leopards, which is named on Friday afternoon.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Smith said: “Jack will be a number of weeks. He’ll be a minimum of four, I’d say. It’s a significant strain to his hamstring.
“For Danny, it’s better news with his scan. Put it this way, we’ll name him in our squad for this week. If he makes it, that’s a bonus. But yeah, there’s no significant tear there. Danny should be right to go.”
Smith confirmed that Liam Tindall and Cam Scott are possibilities for the round-five Super League clash. The outside back duo have been absent with thumb and calf injuries, with Tindall, one of the club’s new signings this year, yet to make his competitive debut.
“Maybe Liam Tindall, maybe Cameron Scott,” Smith said when asked about any more returns.
“There are maybe some options there for us. We’ve also got Liam Sutcliffe coming back from suspension and Jack Brown.”
Franklin Pele has also completed his suspension but the prop has undergone surgery on a finger issue during that time.
However, despite sources indicating he was ruled out, Smith is giving the player every chance to feature, however unlikely.
“Maybe,” Smith added on Pele. “His suspension is over. It’s a question for us and Frank to assess.
“At present, I’d suggest that we would pick him in our 21 and make a decision later in the week.
“He’s had a little finger problem. He did it in pre-season. He has had an operation on it in order to help it function more effectively.
“He’s possibly got a chance for this week. We’ll assess whether it’s right for him to participate.
“All I can say is that he’s very keen. If his finger was falling off, he’d pick it back up and put it back on, and away he goes. He’s that type of player.”
STATE Man justified shortpriced favouritism to take the Unibet Champion Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
Ridden by Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-trained chestnut started as the 2-5 market leader in the absence of reigning champion Constitution Hill.
The seven-year-old enjoyed an untroubled passage through the race on the inside rail and when he kicked for home only Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point could go with him, but it was State Man who held the upper hand to go one better than last year by a length and a quarter.
Luccia ran a fine race in third for Constitution Hill’s trainer, Nicky Henderson.
Mullins said: “I was amazed with the way Paul rode him, I thought he’d be much more forward, I didn’t dream that he’d only be fifth or sixth jumping the fourth-last. But he just rode him with supreme confidence.
“I thought he’d make more use of his stamina, but Paul seemed to ride him for speed today and he clearly felt there was enough in the ground to take it out of the horses in front of him.
“But when jockeys are riding with confidence, they can do things like that and I feel that’s the way he’s been riding all season.”