Andy Last finds light in gloom for injury-ravaged Hull FC

The Black and Whites are without as many as 15 players for Friday's trip to Leigh Leopards after losing Brad Fash, Ligi Sao, Lewis Martin, Amir Bourouh and Yusuf Aydin from the team that lost at Bradford Bulls last weekend.

The long list of absentees – headlined by Will Pryce and John Asiata – leaves Hull down to the bare bones, creating opportunities for fringe players and academy graduates.

Lennon Clark and Ben Johnson are two potential debutants as the Airlie Birds tackle a familiar challenge.

"It's not unprecedented for us," laughed interim boss Last.

"We've been here before. Grixy (Simon Grix) is very experienced in this situation from his time in the interim hot seat in '24. It's a red-hot seat at the moment.

"I'm focused on who is going to be playing. Some debutants are likely to get an opportunity, which is exciting.

"There are going to be some young guys getting a go who have been chomping at the bit. That's a positive. They will remember this game for the right reasons.

"Ben Johnson, Lennon Clark, Will Kirby and Will Hutchinson – there are some guys who have come through the system and are Black and White supporters, and their families are Black and White fans.

"Players like Lewis Martin, Harvey Barron and Logan Moy got their opportunity in moments of adversity and took them with both hands. Hopefully this is the next chapter in the progression of some of our younger guys who have come through the system."

Herman Ese'ese's return to the 21-man squad is a timely boost for the heavily depleted Black and Whites.

However, having spent the past nine months on the sidelines with a ruptured Achilles, the influential prop is not guaranteed to play at Leigh Sports Village.

"We still haven't fully committed to what the team makeup is going to be but the fact that Herman is getting closer and closer to a return is a big positive for us," said Last.

"The challenge as a coaching staff has been not to rush him back. Herman has had a lengthy layoff with a nasty Achilles injury. We are in a desperate situation but have also got to be mindful that he is coming back from a significant injury and we need him to play a significant role.

"It's the first major injury that Herman has had in his career so he's a little bit nervous and a little bit anxious. He wants to make sure that he feels physically ready to perform at the level he is capable of. We need to make sure we get this decision right.

"We saw how devastating Herman can be in the way that he started last season. We want him to hit the ground running when he is ready to play."

Hull head into the match just two points adrift of Leigh, who lead the top-six chasing pack.

Above all else, Last wants their identity to shine through.

"The culture that we've been creating over the last 18 months is: keep competing, make yourselves hard to beat, defend with a lot of grit and tenacity," he said.

"I'll be looking for the team to do that again on Friday night. It's going to be a challenge but it's one we're looking forward to."