Hull FC loses important stand-off due to Achilles injury, according to Jake Trueman.
Hull FC’s stand-off Jake Trueman will be out for a long time after rupturing his Achilles in Saturday’s defeat to Warrington Wolves.
The 24-year-old has struggled with injuries in previous seasons, most notably an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2022.
Trueman returned from his sabbatical in May, appearing in 15 games and scoring three tries.
“We’re all gutted for Jake,” Hull FC head coach Tony Smith remarked.
“As we all know, he missed the start of the season while recovering from a fairly serious injury, and this is another one.”
So we’re all feeling for him in the dressing room there today,” Smith told BBC Radio Humberside.
Trueman came through at Bradford before joining Castleford, where his performances attracted the attention of then Great Britain boss Wayne Bennett, who included him in the squad.
Back problems limited his opportunities in 2021 before the ACL injury that ended his 2022 season prematurely.
He has scored 35 tries in 119 games
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Tony Smith delivers an injury report for Hull City, with surgery being considered for a key player.
In his pre-match press conference, Tony Smith updated the media on the newest injury.
Tony Smith, the head coach of Hull FC, has not ruled out Scott Taylor making a surprise appearance against Warrington Wolves on Saturday. The prop forward exited last week’s game against Wigan in pain, with Smith speculating at the time that he had a hamstring tear.
Taylor, on the other hand, has responded well to his rehabilitation and training this week and is still in with a chance of making the 17 for the important Super League battle, with Smith giving the 32-year-old until Friday’s team run to show his health.
Elsewhere, Hull will be without captain Carlos Tuimavave, who serves the first of a two-match suspension, but Hull, who are managing some bumps and bruises throughout the squad, are set to welcome back Brad Fash after his own one-game ban.
“We haven’t ruled out Scott Taylor just yet,” Smith explained in his pre-match press conference. “We’re naming him in the squad. I’d say he’s got an outside chance. We’ll give him until the last minute.
We’re carrying some knocks at the moment, and we’re also without Carlos this week. We get to this time of year, and most teams are like this: patching themselves up, and players are playing busted. It was a big ask last week in a weather-affected game, to say the least, but a time-affected game as well.
“We’ve been trying to manage the players ever since. We’ve got Brad back and we’re going to put out our most energetic 17 for Saturday.”
Taylor’s inclusion could be important for Hull with a doubt on Ligi Sao’s fitness. The club are weighing up their options, with Smith conceding the Samoan international may need surgery to correct an issue with his knee.
“Ligi’s got a grumbly knee,” Smith continued. “The consideration is, does he play this week, or do we get his knee cleaned out, which would see him miss out for a couple more weeks?
We need to make a judgment on whether it will settle down or whether we will bring him in today. His knee surgery is pretty mild. We’re almost ready to make that decision.”
This week, Hull will also be missing Danny Houghton. The hooker is in training and healthy, but he will miss Saturday’s game due to concussion regulations in rugby league.
“Danny is good,” Smith said. “All he’s doing is going through the motions.” They can only do certain activities on certain days after failing an HIA. He’s going through the motions and will be fine for the next game.
Davy Litten is also a viable opponent for the Wire. After leaving the field in the golden point period, the full-back passed his HIA against Wigan.
“Davy is fine,” Smith continued. “If there had been time, he could have gone back on the other night.” He has passed and will be available to us this week.”
Hull are also without Tex Hoy, Mitieli Vulikijapani, and Charlie Severs.
