Gentle says returning stars Ellis and Holdsworth have boosted Hull spirits

The England forward experienced a false start to his return to Super League when he broke a bone in his foot in the warm-up to the opening game of the season at former club Leeds three months ago.

The 32-year-old former Wests Tigers second-row was distraught, saying he felt he had let the club down, but he is fully recovered and is excited at the prospect of leading the team out against London Broncos at the KC Stadium.

“He’s a very genuine character and what he says, he means,” said Gentle. “He was down and out and felt as though he let everyone down but injuries are part of our game.

“For him to lead the team out on Friday night is going to be a big tick in one of his boxes. It was something he missed early in the season and something he’s looking forward to doing.

“He just needs to get out there, dust some cobwebs off and get his timing back. He only came back into training a week-and-a-half ago.

“There’s nothing I expect, he’s just got to fulfil his role, play his part and not worry about anyone else’s.

“It’s very difficult for your captain to be sitting in a losing meeting and not being able to say anything. You feel like an outsider. But, as he got closer to playing, his input has been more, he’s become more vocal.”

Hull have received a double boost as they enter the second half of the season, with Australian stand-off Daniel Holdsworth also making his comeback from injury against the Broncos.

Signed from Salford in the close season, Holdsworth played in the first three matches but picked up a head injury in the draw at St Helens and complained of headaches over the next month.

Like Ellis, he has been given a clean bill of health and Gentle cannot wait to see his two high-profile signings in harness for the first time. “You can see by the difference in training what the two of them have brought to us,” said Gentle. “They’re not going to win us the game and they’re not going to lose us the game but their presence is definitely going to lift us.”