No limp excuses from Lee

HULL FC coach Lee Radford has backed his cup kings to land another knockout blow despite their recent injury woe.

The Black and Whites have lifted the last two Challenge Cups but are still without several key men, including double Lance Todd Trophy winner Marc Sneyd.

Despite being holders they start today’s clash at Super League leaders St Helens as outsiders, but Radford insists that doesn’t matter.

“Even with what we have got missing, we’ve got a great side and we’re going to have a great 17 to take the field,” he said.

Gambler

“And it’s the cup – we do all right.

“We did this last year against Castleford.

“Nobody could lay a glove on Castleford, but we put them to bed.

“If you’re a pundit, a gambler, a general rugby league fan, I know which way I’d be going.

“But that’s the beauty of our sport, and that’s what we get up in a morning for, to try to shove that in people’s faces. That’s what Hull will be trying to do.”

Radford has sprung a major surprise by including star stand-off Albert Kelly in his squad well ahead of schedule, with Carlos Tuimavave, Bureta Faraimo and Scott Taylor all available again.

Saints star Ben Barba is fit despite limping out of last week’s victory at Castleford, and winger Tommy Makinson is poised to return.