FORWARD TRIO NAMED IN 19-MAN SQUAD
Hull FC prop forwards Liam Watts, Jordan Thompson and Chris Green have all been named in the Black and Whites’ preliminary squad to face Wigan Warriors on Friday night at the DW Stadium.
Despite the trio missing last week’s clash with Leeds Rhinos, having been pulled out of the side late through injuries, head coach Lee Radford has announced them in his 19-man squad for this week’s Super League encounter in the hope they'll both be fit to play.
It's a major boost for the Black and Whites who will have to do without fellow prop Mickey Paea who is suspended, meaning options were looking light in the front row.
Youngsters Jordan Abdull and Jansin Turgut are two of three changes to the preliminary squad, having been drafted in last minute to play against Leeds last time out, but both formally keep their place this time around, whilst back rower Dean Hadley also returns.
Meanwhile, Jordan Rankin looks set to make his second start of the season at full back in the fixture, with young gun Jamie Shaul dropping out.
With Rankin waiting in the wings for a chance, Shaul won't be risked at this early stage of the season after recently overcoming an ankle injury sustained in the Warrington game that prevented him from playing against Salford two weeks ago.
Two other players injured in that game were edge players Setaimata Sa and Richard Whiting who both look set for extended spells on the sidelines.
Sa has fractured a bone in his back, whilst Whiting suffered a broken wrist. Both players continue to be assessed by the club's medical staff and specialists but won't be expected back in action in the near future.
Hull FC Squad: Abdull, Bowden, Ellis, Green, Hadley, Houghton, Lineham, Michaels, Minichiello, Paleaaesina, Pryce, Rankin, Sneyd, Talanoa, Thompson, Turgut, Watts, Westerman, Yeaman
Wigan Warriors Squad: Bateman, Bowen, Burgess, Charnley, Clubb, Farrell, Gelling, Greenwood, Manfredi, McIlorum, Mossop, Patrick, Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Sutton, Tautai, Tomkins, Williams |
