Key players set for a much-needed return in clash with Broncos
TONY SMITH WEIGHS UP OPTIONS FOR WEEKEND CLASH
TONY Smith has provided his latest Hull FC injury update, with the Black and Whites set to welcome back Danny Houghton and Ligi Sao for Sunday’s clash with London Broncos.
Houghton missed the game at Warrington Wolves last Friday due to a failed HIA, while Sao was suspended following his red card in the derby. Both players are much-needed returns with Hull set to be without at least 13 players for their round three game.
Elsewhere, Smith also confirmed Carlos Tuimavave is close to a return and a possibility for Sunday’s clash. The centre has been absent so far this season due to a calf issue. There was also an update given on Harvey Barron, who will be out with a hamstring problem after leaving the field last week.
“We’ve got Danny back,” Smith said. “He’s fit and healthy. We’ve got Ligi Sao back too which is good news. We’ve possibly got Carlos. He has a couple of boxes still to tick, but he’s a possibility. They are purely physical ones before we make a call.
“Harvey isn’t right. We don’t think it’s a tear. He’s got a tightness there and we’re being very cautious with it. He has had a history there for injuries in the past so we don’t want to push it.
“It’s unfortunate for Harvey as it was a great opportunity for him. I thought he was doing well until he picked up that knock. He’s got something going on around that area and he needs to get on top of that before we risk him again.”
In total, Hull will be without Liam Tindall, Jake Trueman, Brad Fash, Joe Cator, Cam Scott, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Harvey Barron, Zach Jebson, Kye Armstrong, and Cobie Wainhouse for the London game, with Herman Ese’ese, Franklin Pele, and Liam Sutcliffe suspended.
After confirming the extent of injuries to both Cator and Scott last week, Smith was able to give a positive update on Tindall, with the winger just a matter of weeks away from a return. “He’s getting close,” Smith said. “He’s running around. He’s got a cap on his thumb that prevents it from going out of position.
“He will be a couple of weeks I think. He needs to get the strength back in his thumb but he’s able to do a lot of the physical training which is good. He’s on with it.”
Smith also revealed a new injury for Jebson, who had recovered from a hip flexor only to injure his ankle in the recent reserves training game.
“His ankle is probably a little worse than we first thought,” Smith explained. “He is painfree now. He’s hoping to start running soon. His ankle was his last outing. He did have a hip flexor a couple of weeks ago but it was his ankle in reserve grade. He’s hopefully back within the next week or so.”
As for Fash, Smith confirmed the prop is going well after recent ankle surgery. “He’s recovering,” the head coach stated. “He had to keep his foot up for the first week or so. He’s elevated his ankle and made sure he has taken care of it. He’ll be back in over the next few days. The operation went well. It’s a 6-10 week recovery.”
Smith also gave welcome updates on Vulikijapani, Trueman, and Armstrong, with Wainhouse recovering from an ACL rupture. “Mitch should be back around the end of March, certainly around then,” Smith said. “He’s very much on target for that.”
“Truey is going well. He’s progressing. He’s working on the ultra-g and he’s almost running on grass now. He’s on schedule but has some boxes to tick.
“Kye is doing most things but he’s not quite there. He hasn’t got the contact going just yet, but he is starting to join in training with the skills. There are some positives behind the scenes. We’ve had a few players on the medical bench but the sooner we get them back, the better.”
There was also an update on Damel Diakhate, with Smith confirming the prop is fit, and is cracking on with his development in training.
“Damel’s got a lot of work to do - both physically and skilfully,” Smith added. “He’s a wholehearted player, that’s for sure, and he catches the eye. He’s working hard behind the scenes.”