Jones could return, but is it season over for veteran Ellis?

ANDY Last has high hopes of seeing Josh Jones in a Hull FC shirt before the end of the season, but admits it is a possibility that Gareth Ellis won’t make a playing return.

Ellis hasn’t been seen since last month as he struggles with a niggling injury and is due to retire from playing next month at the end of his 21st season in the sport.

Jones hasn’t played since August after contracting coronavirus and is struggling with the after-effects of the illness.

With that in mind, here’s everything the interim head coach had to say during his pre-match press conference on Ellis, Jones, Adam Swift and Jordan Lane.

OBVIOUSLY YOU’RE STILL MISSING A FEW PLAYERS, DO YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON ANY OF THOSE?

“Swift is having an ongoing issue with his back. We’ve had a scan and there’s nothing major in there just a bit of disc irritation.

“It settles down but then we follow his return to play from a rehab point of view and we start pushing his metres and the high speed element and it flares up again and goes into spasm. We have to taper it in again and try and build it up. He’s having a difficult time.

“Gaz is just an ongoing knee issue which we’re working on and assessing on a weekly basis.

“Laney has returned from the Covid issue he had in good shape and no long term effects. He just needs to build his heart and lungs up.

“Josh Jones is back in the fold now and he’s done his second day on his return to play. He’s kept himself in good shape, he’s been professional in the time he’s been off in terms of his diet and he’s in good shape, it’s a case of

IT’S BEEN SOME TIME SINCE WE’VE SEEN ELLIS ON THE FIELD, ARE THERE FEARS HE MIGHT HAVE PLAYED HIS FINAL GAME?

“Possibly, it’s an ongoing issue with Gaz, he’s got some wear and tear from the years of playing which isn’t responding as well as we’d like it to.

“It’s a weekly process with Gaz. It’s a tough one because we’re a good team when Gaz is in and he gives you that leadership and experience.

“What’s been evident is by Gaz moving out of the way because of his injury he’s given some of the younger guys a pathway to get some games under their belt and I think the likes of Joe Cator, Brad Fash and Jack Brown have flourished because of the opportunities they’ve been given.”