Hull FC set to see double for a few weeks

They visit Leeds Rhinos tomorrow in Super League before hosting the same opponents in a Challenge Cup quarter-final on Friday.

They then travel to bottom club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in a rearranged league game on Wednesday, July 1 before tackling that same West Yorkshire side once more at KC Stadium the following Sunday.

That brace of games against Trinity – who have lost 15 successive Super League matches – is clearly vital for Hull who are currently clinging onto the final play-off place of eighth.

Hull have lost just three of their last 11 games to revitalise their chances, but could drop out of the eight tomorrow.

Radford admitted: “That would be really disappointing (considering their form).

“We’ve actually got a double-header and then another so it’s a bit of a strange one in terms of preparation.

“It’ll be easier on the staff, probably half the video sessions and the work that we have to do.

“But it’s going to be difficult (against Leeds). They’re both important in terms of each other in where we stand in the league and we only get to have one opportunity in the Cup fixture.

“It’s a strange scenario. We play Wakefield back-to-back the following week so the next three weeks are really important to us.”

Josh Bowden and Curtis Naughton are recalled to Hull’s 19-man squad, Kirk Yeaman (ankle) and Chris Green dropping out, but there is still no place for Warrington Wolves-bound Tom Lineham.

Leeds have full-back Zak Hardaker returning from a two-match absence with ankle trouble while coach Brian McDermott is hopeful that centre Joel Moon and second rower Brett Delaney will also be back after missing the last two games through injury.