Head coach Peter Gentle has recalled veteran centre Tony Martin to his squad for Saturday’s derby with arch rivals Hull KR in the only change to the side which beat London last weekend.

Martin has been sidelined for the past month with a neck injury but is fit to take his place in the Hull squad at the expense of Richard Whiting, who has been suspended for the Hull derby at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium following a dangerous tackle in the 14-12 victory over the Broncos.

He now looks settle to battle it out with Ben Crooks and Jordan Turner for one of the two centre spots in Gentle’s side after the duo retained their places in the squad.

Richard Horne and Joe Westerman are also named after coming through their return to action last weekend unscathed, while youngsters Liam Kent and Danny Nicklas will continue to push hard for a place in the team after impressing for the under-20s last time out.

Hull FC squad: Aspinwall, Briscoe, Crooks, Horne, Houghton, Kent, Lynch, Manu, Martin, Moa, Nicklas, O’Carroll, Pitts, Russell, Sharp, Seymour, Tickle, Turner, Westerman



Rovers Squad.
Clinton,Dobson,Galea,Green,Hall,D.Hodgson,J.Hodgson,Horne,Latus,Lovegrove,McDonnell,Mika,Murrell,O'Hara,Paea,Taylor,Watts,Welham,Withers

Horne in Salter Out

www.hullfc.com/article/21384/gen ... erby-clash martin fow whiting

www.hullfc.com/article/21384/gen ... erby-clash martin fow whiting

Russell
Sharp
Turner
Martin
Briscoe
Horne
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Moa
Manu
Tickle
Westerman

Aspinwall
O'Carroll
Pitts
Kent/Crooks (depends if we want to have a back on the bench incase of any injuries, as Whiting is banned and can't cover, or if we want to go with 4 forwards)

Nicklas and Crooks to miss out provided Manu and Martin are fit.

The placing of our centres is something worth considering. Do we play Turner on the right so that his attacking threat will exploit Welham's defensive frailties, although his defence isn't as good as Martin's, or do we play Martin on the right as his superior defence should counteract Welham, Rover's strongest centre.

I'm thinking Turner on the right and Martin on the left, as we've conceded quite a few tries down the left and he should shore that up, as well as giving decent service to Briscoe.

Martin is poor in defence. Turner dealt with Welham no problem in the KC derby.

Looks like I'm the only one who would play Crooks in front of Martin.

Crooks has showed more in two games that Martin has all season.

Martin wouldn't have scored those two trys in the last 2 games that Crooks did, in fact can't remember Martin scoring a try this year or creating one (although I sure he must have).

Martin is better defensively at the moment, but playing him would be the safe option IMO, I hope Gentle agrees.

Quote ="Dave K."Looks like I'm the only one who would play Crooks in front of Martin. Crooks has showed more in two games that Martin has all season. Martin wouldn't have scored those two trys in the last 2 games that Crooks did, in fact can't remember Martin scoring a try this year or creating one (although I sure he must have). Martin is better defensively at the moment, but playing him would be the safe option IMO, I hope Gentle agrees.'" I agree, I'd leave Crooks in, but would still bring Yeamo back when he's fit again. superleague.co.uk/player/303 0 tries, 2 clean breaks and 2 try assists, compared to 2 tries, 3 clean breaks and 1 try assist for Ben Crooks.

Quote ="Dave K."Looks like I'm the only one who would play Crooks in front of Martin. Crooks has showed more in two games that Martin has all season. Martin wouldn't have scored those two trys in the last 2 games that Crooks did, in fact can't remember Martin scoring a try this year or creating one (although I sure he must have). Martin is better defensively at the moment, but playing him would be the safe option IMO, I hope Gentle agrees.'" I agree, I'd leave Crooks in, but would still bring Yeamo back when he's fit again. superleague.co.uk/player/303 0 tries, 2 clean breaks and 2 try assists, compared to 2 tries, 3 clean breaks and 1 try assist for Ben Crooks.

I'd go with the same, possibly swapping Westerman and Pitts.

Tough choice with Crooks, but I'd go with experience on Saturday in front of a big(ish) crowd.

God I hope they play Hall at right centre.

I would consider playing Ben Crooks & Jordan Turner. If the weather stays as it is @ present then it is going to be very hot in the ground & I believe that these two will last the game better.
I also consider that these two have the pace to give Rovers some problems. Just my opinion.

I agree with you Crooks the man in the shirt on form IMO.

I wouldn't select Crooks for such a high-pressure and atmosphere match so early in his career. We have to blood him gradually, not just chuck him in at the deep-end. This is a match unlike any other - biggest crowd of the non-playoff season, plus at the Etihad, plus it's a derby, so I'd stick with the 'safer' option for this one.

I'm not slating Crooks, I think he's a good player and will have a great future. I wouldn't be concerned if he played, just that I think I'd go for a safer option.

I think Martin on the bench would give us better cover in the backs, and Gentle might not want to give him a full 80.

Id normally agree with that but I reckon he should be able to deal with Saturday. Afterall he didn't really have any trouble in the Leeds game so Kr, in Manchester aswell shouldn't be a problem.

Your centres are likely to up against Welham and Hall so we could see a lot of attacking down the flanks and not a lot of defending, from Rovers at least!

Think it's largely pointless us speculating on here whether it's best or not to chuck Crooks into a derby at this stage, it's him and Gentle who'll know. He may find it an intimidating prospect, or conversely he might be champing at the bit to play in a game like that. I trust that if he's ready he'll be given the chance, but if he's missing from the team sheet it's come too early in the fixture list for him and was the right call.

One thing I am curious about is Bowden falling out of the running in recent weeks, is there any particular reason for it does anyone know? Seems we're going with extra backrowers (i.e. Aspinwall and Kent) stepping up to cover O'Meley instead.

Think we'll go with Martin instead of Crooks. Not sure what I'd do personally, each option has strengths and weaknesses.

I agree with K-Diddy. Ben Crooks did ok against Leeds & unless he is played in certain matches like this Saturday's game, we will not know whether he will be able to cope or not. Both Turner & Crooks are young & fit, so give them a go. I do not think they will let us down.

It's not really the same thing though, IMO. Look at Garry Schofield, he's never been one with self-confidence issues and took big games in his stride, yet he's openly admitted in the past that he was terrified when he went onto the pitch for a derby and actively tried to avoid taking possession for the first 20 minutes in case he got belted.

wasn't he ill or injured up until the Leeds game? Imagine if he's had a cold or other bug he could take a couple of weeks to get back to 100%

That's only true to a point. You can't know for certain if a player is ready until they are thrown in, but sometimes you can see that they aren't, IMO.

I remember him being ill for the Hudds games, but he then played against Wigan. He was left out for Leeds, which I assumed was because of O'Meley and O'Carroll both coming back from injury, but he's not even made a 19 since with O'Meley out again. Maybe you're right and he's still not 100% yet but had to play against Wigan because we didn't have enough other options.

I thought bowden was injured

Played in the 20s against London, maybe his first game back?