Herman Ese'ese Set to Resume Training Saturday for Hull Fc

hull fc prop Herman Ese'ese will return to training on Saturday after a slight setback in his Achilles rehabilitation. The news gives Hull FC a clearer read on his comeback after a serious rupture last August, even though there is now no timeframe for his return to action.

Andy Last on Ese'ese

Andy Last said, "He's doing okay," before spelling out why the rehab was briefly scaled back. "He had a slight setback on Monday. His foot flared up a bit from the load and the amount of running we were asking him to do. We've just backed off a little bit with him and done some more off-feet conditioning. He'll be back on the training field on Saturday."

Ese'ese ruptured his Achilles tendon last August, and the club has been careful about the pace of his return ever since. Last said, "He's progressing well. We've just got to be mindful that Herman has suffered a really serious injury. He's a big man, and with the way the game has sped up, we need to make sure that we get the time right to put him back in the team. We'll make that decision as and when it comes. There's no timeframe now."

Jed Cartwright and John Asiata

Jed Cartwright has been out with a hamstring injury since the end of February, but his rehab has moved on. Last said, "He's running okay – he was on the field today," and added, "He's hit 90% of his max this week. He looks a picture of health, a big six-foot-plus forward, ripped to pieces – he's coming along nicely."

John Asiata is on a different timetable after hamstring surgery. Last said, "John is okay," while also making clear he will be out until the latter part of the season. That leaves Hull FC still balancing one forward coming back toward training with another two carrying longer-term absences.

Sam Lisone and Will Pryce

Sam Lisone had surgery on his pec on Thursday morning and will also be out until the latter part of the season. Last said, "Sam has had surgery on his pectoral today. Hopefully, that operation has gone well. We'll wait for him to come round with the anaesthetic and then we'll have a chat with him."

Will Pryce, meanwhile, has already moved past the first phase of his own recovery after rupturing his ACL in February. Last said, "He got told off for that," after Pryce celebrated with Hull supporters at Castleford Tigers last week, and added, "He's got his leg brace off now and he's doing really well, but we've just got to be mindful that he is a really key player for us, and sometimes he can get a little bit excited."

"It's great to see, really," Last said. "When you're in those lonely days doing rehab, you do miss that camaraderie with the team. He gives a lot of energy around the group, does Will. He was moving well today." For Hull FC, the immediate read is simple: Ese'ese is back on the field Saturday, but selection decisions remain tied to how each rehab case holds up once the work gets faster and more demanding.