McDermott is happy to accept the Airlie Birds ‘challenge’

Although the champions comprehensively defeated the Airlie Birds 36-6 at Headingley on the opening day of the season, their Yorkshire rivals have improved markedly since.

Indeed, the only side Hull have lost to in their last eight games is leaders Wigan and they know they will replace Leeds in fourth with another success tonight.

“They are putting together some real form,” said McDermott, ahead of the televised clash at KC Stadium.

“They have some things that are clearly working for them and they’re using the ball a lot.

“It’s not just five drives and a kick. They play a challenging style where you have to actually defend as well as just tackle.

“I watched the game against Warrington and that was a dogged performance when they got the result over there.

“Then, by hook or by crook, they got the result against Hull KR last week.

“They’ll not be bothered by that (video referee) decision; it equals momentum for them and they will be riding high.

“It’s a task going there (KC) anyway but meeting them in form is something we have got to be ready for.”

Hull benefitted directly from video referee Steve Ganson’s staggering mistake to pick up a 22-16 win over Hull KR that they scarcely deserved at Magic Weekend.

Leeds had their own altercation with a video referee after Ian Smith controversially – admittedly to a lesser degree – disallowed Danny McGuire’s late score to deny Wigan.

McDermott was disillusioned by that, claiming the alleged obstruction showed a lack of “common sense”, but he refuses to use it as an excuse for the loss.

“We dropped too much ball when attacking their try-line in the second half,” he said.

“If you want to highlight a reason why we didn’t win then that is what we want to focus on and fix up for Hull.

“I know there were other factors – video referee decisions and such – you might want to point at, but we’re going to take control of what we’re in charge of.”

Leeds should be strengthened by the return of in-form second-row Brett Delaney who, it has emerged, was hospitalised after collapsing in the dressing room following the loss against St Helens 11 days ago.

“It’s graphic when it happens,” admitted McDermott.

“But in essence he’s just fainted because his body was completely depleted of all chemicals, nutrients and energy.

“Brett’s a hardy soul and he’ll be right to go at Hull though.

“Quite often we talk about players running their blood to water. In actual fact, he did that night against St Helens.”