Hull v Hull K R - Super League preview
Derby games are rarely dull but there will be more than just bragging rights up for grabs when Hull FC meet Hull KR at the KC Stadium.
Hull are just three points ahead as both look to consolidate the top-eight positions for the play-offs. Justin Morgan, the Hull KR coach, could select winger Liam Colbon, who has been out of the team for four months.
The former Wigan player has been out of action since March with a combination of a fractured jaw, sustained in the defeat at Catalans Dragons late March, and a knee injury that halted his comeback in May but he has today been named in Morgan's 19-man squad after having missed the club’s last 14 matches.
Speaking to the site’s official website, Morgan said: “Liam has worked really hard in training and is pushing strongly for a place but there are a few things to take into consideration before we finalise our plans.”
Rovers still have centre Kris Welham missing, having failed to recover from a shoulder injury, to add to long-term casualties Jake Webster and Michael Ratu. That means Morgan may well select loan signing Josh Charnley, who played his debut match in last Friday's 25-6 win over Leeds Rhinos, to play at centre.
One piece of good news is that Shaun Briscoe looks as though he will be able to face his former club after making a successful return from injury in the Leeds match. “The Thursday game means a pretty short turnaround,” Morgan said. “We got the Leeds game boxed off as quickly as we could and since then, the focus has been on Hull FC and the threats they pose.
“Hull are ahead of us in the table so it's important for us to beat them for that reason - and for the importance of winning a derby.”
Hull FC head coach Richard Agar can select prop Sam Moa for his squad, with the Tongan recovered after a calf injury.
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