Video: Star man Danny Houghton still hopeful of getting England call

HE may have won nearly twice as many votes as anyone else when winning the prestigious Steve Prescott Man of Steel, but Hull FC's Danny Houghton concedes it still may not be enough to earn him an England debut.
Hull FC's Danny Houghton has enjoyed a stellar year in East Yorkshire.Hull FC's Danny Houghton has enjoyed a stellar year in East Yorkshire.
Hull FC's Danny Houghton has enjoyed a stellar year in East Yorkshire.

On Monday, the highly-rated hooker became the first player from the East Yorkshire club to claim the award since its inception in 1977.

Houghton was central to Hull’s Challenge Cup final win, their first-ever at Wembley, and their bid for the League Leaders’ Shield before eventually missing out to Warrington Wolves.

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In a ballot of 288 Super League players to decide the competition’s best player, the 28-year-old won 113 votes, his club captain Gareth Ellis coming second with 59.

It has led, once more, to calls for the consistently excellent Houghton to be included in Wayne Bennett’s Four Nations squad.

Although having played for England Knights, he still remains uncapped at full level but admitted: “It’s a tough one internationally.

“It’s the most prized position at the moment in Super League.

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“Every single team has a really good hooker, and if it’s not to be for me at England, I won’t hold anything against who is picked.

“Daryl Clark, James Roby and Josh Hodgson have been sensational this year and whoever’s picked will do a great job.

“There’s been no call yet and what will be will be.

“I’ve done all I can now; there’s no more games left now unless I get picked.

“If so I’ll be over the moon, if not I’ll work hard next year and try and get in again.”

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Warrington’s Clark, who won Man of Steel and debuted for England in 2014 after a brilliant year with Castleford Tigers, gets his chance to impress further in Saturday’s Grand Final against Wigan Warriors.

Everyone knows what St Helens’ Roby can do, the 30-year-old who played in Great Britain’s last win over Australia in 2006, while former Hull KR rake Hodgson is certain to be included given his stellar form with NRL semi-finalists Canberra Raiders.

Meanwhile, Houghton was “shocked” to beat Ellis, the 35-year-old forward who also defeated the Kangaroos a decade ago, as well as Castleford’s winger Denny Solomona.

“Gareth is a freak for what he does for our club; he’s scary, the best player I’ve ever played with,” he said.

“Every time he pulls that shirt on for Hull FC he raises that dressing room 10-fold.

“I can’t believe I’ve beaten him to it.”