Looks like Jack Ashworth will be in contention for this one after a good run out for the reserves on Saturday afternoon. He's definitely been one of the positives of the season so it will be good to have him back. Harvey Barron also made a return from injury in that game.

There's an article on the HDM about Balmforth and the young players which I will link suggesting why he's not currently in contention for a first team spot: [urlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/denive-balmforth-challenge-set-francis-9293306[/url

It’s concerning that Balmforth still isn’t ripping it up in the Reserves.
Cummins mentions the inconsistencies still and areas to improve on.
Denise looks a bit too heavy for me and he needs to start working 10 hours a day on his improvement areas IMO

I see Okunbur got MOM from Bradford yesterday and Pele "impressed in a lengthy stint" according York reports.

I wonder if that means they might be recalled for this or if its all part of the plan to force them out. With Ashworth and maybe Fash returning we have more forward cover.

Just don't see what we have to lose with Balmforth, give Houghton or Smith a rest and give him 40 minutes, if he is poor and we lose, not much different t most weeks. I would expect very little changes to the side that lost to London, probably Ashworth for Pele and Fash (if fit) for Jebson.

Can't see anything but a comfy Cas win, Hoy will 100% score.

We'll definitely make Hoy look like Reece Walsh

Crazy to think that Friday is our last realistic chance of winning an away game this season.

Do we count Magic weekend as away



Also looks like Reynolds will start, forgot about him, be good to give Charles a rest.

What's the deal with Ese Ese? Has the investigation been done yet?

We should find out today

Should find out from the MRP today. They had insufficient evidence to charge Ese Ese so it was on London to provide further evidence. Don't think anyone knows if they have or not yet.

Fancy a cheeky FC win

Ese Ese, free to play, hearing is Thursday.

You just know they'll find some reason to give him a big ban the way our season is going.

2 Wigan forwards banned, bet they recall Chan.

Would be typical of our season so far, wouldn't it?

Ashworth in for either Chan or Pele. Reynolds in for Charles.

Cas win, think theyll use this game to build some momentum ahead of the IMG gradings, the club is having a big push to get attendances over 7500 to score more IMG points. Hoy MOTM

seems crazy we have sent out 4 of the squad on loan when we're down on numbers. Clearly we want rid of the 2 overseas recruits and tindall and presume litten is going to rovers

People were criticising the club for not playing Balmforth- now they know. I guess the club have to respect players when explaining their absences from team sheets. However as someone did say we have little to lose by giving him some game time?

What's one of those?

Hodgson barely played him, Smith rarely played him & now Grix doesn’t. Seems there’s a reason for this.

It seems he has tons of potential but is taking time to realise it. Maybe he has this season then the decision will be made. Feels like he might end up elsewhere and blossom!

Really interesting comments from Cummings, probably the best insight into Balmforth's development we've had.

Young players obviously need guidance and coaching to progress onto first-team level. I would suspect that Hull Fc 2024 hasn't exactly been the greatest of environments for any young player to develop. The onus is on the club to help upcoming players realise potential, another of our failings in recent times.

We've all been critical of the senior players attitude throughout this season, if any young player was to feel the same way then he is hardly going to be inspired to push on and progress. I don't know for certain, as I don't work at the club, but it must be difficult for youngsters working through the fog of uncertainty that has enveloped us over the past few years. Hope this doesn't come back to bite us in later years.

Really good post. Environment is important in any walk of life. Whilst I don't have a sporting background, I have worked in somewhat toxic environments before and you can see how that affects people and maybe stops people from being the best person they can be.

Ashworth, Fash, Reynolds all back. I'd like to see Okunbur when his loan ends given a run at centre he can't be any worse than Scott IMO.

Walker
Martin
Scott
Sutcliffe
Briscoe
Trueman
Reynolds
Eseese
Houghton
Fash
Sao
Lane
Cator
Subs
Ashworth
Aydin
Smith
Chan
I'd swap Ashworth or Chan for Ligi in 2nd row but don't think Grix will.