Hull FC have recalled Jayden Okunbor from his loan spell at Bradford Bulls. The 27-year-old has been with the West Yorkshire club for the past several weeks, but due to injuries, the Black and Whites have decided to bring him back.
Hull FC faced injuries to forwards Jack Ashworth, Ligi Sao, and Cam Scott during their defeat to Warrington Wolves last month. As reported exclusively by Hull Live, Ashworth has already undergone surgery for an ankle issue. Sao (ankle/knee) and Scott (hamstring) are also expected to be out for several weeks.
This has left Hull FC short in the back row positions, with Scott and Sao having filled those roles this season. Okunbor, meanwhile, has played five games on loan at Bradford, scoring three tries. Notably, he has played in the centre and, more recently, on the wing. Earlier in the season, he played eight games for Hull in the back row but hasn’t featured for the first team since Simon Grix took interim charge. Instead, he played for the reserves a couple of times before his loan move to the Bulls. However, it is understood that Okunbor, who has continued training with Hull during his loan, will now be in contention to play against Salford Red Devils this weekend.
Hull FC also have other options to replace their injured trio. It is hoped that Jed Cartwright will debut after playing in Sunday’s 60-4 reserve win over Leigh Leopards. Cartwright played for 30 minutes before a foot issue caused him to limp off the field, but it is not considered serious, and according to Francis Cummins, the club can manage it.
Additionally, young players Zach Jebson and Matty Laidlaw are fit and available after playing for the reserves. Will Gardiner, who also captained the side, is expected to keep his place in the team after impressing against Warrington two weeks ago, while Tiaki Chan could return to the side after playing for France against England over the weekend.
Okunbor strengthens Grix’s options, and the Australian, who has maintained an excellent attitude despite the season’s challenges, now hopes to secure his place with twelve rounds remaining in the season.