Hull FC suffer injury blow in Huddersfield defeat as Tony Smith bemoans ‘average’ team display

Hull FC could be without Liam Sutcliffe for some time after the centre suffered a compound fracture on a finger in their 19-12 defeat at Huddersfield Giants.

The 28-year-old sustained a compound fracture on a finger in their loss to Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium on Thursday night.

“He’s had a compound fracture of a finger on his right hand,” Hull coach Tony Smith said in his post-match press conference.

“The bone was out. The good news is he’ll go to hospital, he’ll get it sorted.”

Hull FC boss Tony Smith reflects on ‘average’ display in Huddersfield loss

Adam Swift and Brad Fash got on the scoresheet for the Black and Whites but it wasn’t enough as the Giants secured a 19-12 victory, and their third win in a row.

Smith admitted that his side were ‘average’ and wants them to learn from this as they start to prepare for next Sunday’s clash with Wakefield.

“It was average in terms of performance from us,” he said.

“Scrappy again, particularly with the ball. We weren’t too bad defensively, our defence was fairly sound. When it got unlocked a couple of times we paid a price severely.

“Our attack wasn’t very potent. We had a period of 10 minutes when we got on top of our opponents, and then we got carried away.

“Regardless of where we sit and what’s left, it hurts. You want to perform well, we didn’t perform well tonight.”

Hull FC currently sit ninth in the Super League table, having won nine from 20 games so far this season.

The Black and Whites might be sitting in ninth, but they are only two points away from sixth and a play-off place.

Smith’s side will look to bounce back when they host bottom club Wakefield Trinity at the MKM Stadium next Sunday, 3pm kick-off.

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