Hull FC make three changes to derby squad with late calls still to be made

Hull FC will give Ligi Sao every chance to feature in Saturday’s Hull derby, with the forward named in Simon Grix’s 21-man squad for the 246th clash against Hull KR.

However, there is no place for Danny Houghton, with the club captain out with a calf issue picked up at Salford Red Devils last week. Houghton is one of three changes to the squad, alongside Zach Jebson and Ben Reynolds, who left the club on Monday.

There are recalls for three youngsters: Jack Charles, Davy Litten, and Harvey Barron. Charles will be given a fighting chance to feature, despite picking up an unspecified knock playing for the academy last week. He has made good progress in training this week, with the club confident of a first-team return.

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Elsewhere, Carlos Tuimavave will hope to continue his impressive run since returning from a hamstring injury. He is named alongside senior players Liam Sutcliffe, Herman Ese’ese, Brad Fash, and Jordan Lane, who is the club’s one and only ever-present player this year.

There is also a plethora of young talent named, with Will Kirby aiming to keep hold of his place after making his first-team debut last week. He is joined by the likes of Will Gardiner, Lewis Martin, Matty Laidlaw, and Logan Moy, with Denive Balmforth looking to keep up his strong form.

Morgan Smith is also included, with the hooker or half-back missing his first game of the season last week. Yusuf Aydin will make his first appearance against his former club, while Tom Briscoe is set for his first run against Rovers since signing for the Airlie Birds back in April.

Hull Squad: 3. Carlos Tuimavave, 4. Liam Sutcliffe, 6. Jake Trueman, 8. Herman Ese’ese, 12. Ligi Sao, 13. Brad Fash, 15. Jordan Lane, 19. Morgan Smith, 21. Will Gardiner, 23. Davy Litten, 25. Harvey Barron, 26. Lewis Martin, 28. Denive Balmforth, 30. Matty Laidlaw, 31. Jack Walker, 37. Logan Moy, 40. Jack Charles, 44. Tom Briscoe, 45. Yusuf Audin, 46. Tiaki Chan, 49. Will Kirby

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