WATCH: Hull FC captain Danny Houghton "okay" with new role ahead of record derby appearance

When they face Hull KR at St Helens tonight, the Hull FC legend will play in his 33rd derby affair, surpassing the mark set by Ned Rodgers for the Black and Whites between 1906 and 1925.

Remarkably, it was also extend Houghton's record of consecutive appearances in the fixture to 31.

However, there has been a big change of late with the 32-year-old - a mainstay of the side for the last decade - now being used as a replacement with Jordan Johnstone, the former Widnes Vikings hooker, starting games for Andy Last's side.

Asked how he is with that change, Houghton replied: "Yes, okay.

"I'm great with it at the moment.

"Jordan's done a great job since stepping in there.

"We've started games pretty well over the last two or three games so why change something that's not broken?

"I'm enjoying coming off the bench and doing something a little bit different.

"I've adapted to it now and I'm enjoying it."

Hull have won three of their last four games and the tactic is working, with Houghton - renowned for his massive defensive appetite - being kept fresh to help improve his side's attacking play.

Keeping the opposition hooker quiet, though, will be key in helping FC maintain their recent form, Matt Parcell, the livewire Australian returning for bottom-placed Rovers.

Houghton, who lifted the Challenge Cup with Hull in 2016 and 2017, said: “He is a sharp player. Any quick ruck and he is jumping out of there at speed.

“We have done a little bit of work around preventing that and stopping him is a big part of our game tomorrow (Thursday).

"We need to make sure we win the ruck and the contact, and hopefully that will nullify what he is good at.”

When it comes to his finest derby experience, Houghton looks back at the famous 2016 Easter success at Craven Park.

"It would probably have to be the one coming back from 20 nil down," he said.

"It was a special victory, not just for the win but at that moment in time when the heat was on.

"On the back of some poor results in our season - with the year going one way or the other - to flip it on the head like we did was pretty special and it led on to great things that year."