Hull will be without new Australian signing Josh Reynolds for up to six weeks after the hamstring injury he sustained in the 35-4 Super League win over Salford proved to be more serious than first thought.
The former Wests Tigers stand-off has made an impressive start to his career with the Black and Whites, with three tries in his first two appearances, but limped out of Sunday’s round-two fixture with the Red Devils.
It’s a blow for Reynolds, who moved to Hull from the Tigers in December with the hope of recapturing his best form after several injury-hampered seasons.
“We thought it was a low-grade hamstring tear but the scans have shown it’s worse than that so we’re looking at four to six weeks,” said Hull coach Brett Hodgson.
“He’s very disappointed but we’ll make sure he gets the best treatment and he’ll be working hard to get back ASAP.”
Hodgson says he was not tempted to switch Jake Connor away from his new full-back role and will instead turn to Ben McNamara to deputise for Reynolds in Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup third-round tie at Featherstone.
“It gives Ben McNamara a really good chance of showing what he can do,” Hodgson said.
“We’re excited about what he’s done in pre-season and we’re definitely confident Ben can fill that void.”
“He’s a confident boy and he’s learning his role in the group. He’ll have some help around him.”
Hodgson is confident Reynolds’ half-back partner Marc Sneyd will be fit for the cup tie after limping out of the Salford game with a “dead leg” but forward Ligi Sao is ruled out with an ankle injury.