Hull FC: Jamie Shaul to get chance as Jake Connor suffers broken hand

Hull’s Jamie Shaul is set to get a chance at full-back after Jake Connor suffered a broken hand in Sunday’s 38-6 pre-season friendly defeat at Leeds.

Connor, 27, was taken off in the early stages at Headingley and scans confirmed his broken hand on Monday.

The five-time England international will miss Hull’s opening game of the season against Wakefield on Sunday, February 13. He is also a doubt for their first home game against St Helens the following week.

Connor said: “Not the best of starts… It doesn’t need surgery so it’s just a case of healing.

“I’ve been a pretty good healer in the past so I’m going to try to aim for that Saints game but, if not, definitely the week after.

“I had a similar break to the same hand and I ended up playing after three weeks.”

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Hull have already got a number of players on the sidelines. Scott Taylor, Manu Ma’u, Kane Evans and Joe Cator will miss the Wakefield game too.

However, Brett Hodgson’s side have already got a full-back replacement in the shape of Shaul. Connor Wynne and Darnell McIntosh can also cover there.

Hull captain Luke Gale said: “It’s been a challenging few weeks. Jake’s a world-class player who has been going great in training and hopefully he gets back pretty soon.

“We want him on the pitch because he’s a dangerous player.

“Jamie Shaul is a ready-make replacement, you don’t normally have players like that waiting in the wings so I suppose we’re lucky in that regard.

“It’s a chance for Shauly, who has been pretty awesome in pre-season.”

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