Hull FC preview

An early-season injury crisis is threatening to derail Hull's Super League hopes before a ball has even been kicked.

Black and Whites already bruised heading into 2008 season

After a topsy-turvy 2007 campaign, Hull would have hoped the arrival of some high-profile new recruits was a sign of good times to come. Read Phil Clarke's verdict The Paul Cooke affair overshadowed their on-field actions that saw them produce a fine finish to the regular season to finish in the top six. A first round win against Huddersfield was a positive start to the play-offs but they were then humbled at home by Wigan in a nailbiter. But, with Shaun Berrigan, Peter Cusack and Adam Dykes all coming in, coach Peter Sharp would have had designs on a second trip to Old Trafford. Those hopes will have been tempered by a nightmare pre-season that has seen several key players suffer injuries. Captain Lee Radford broke a thumb against Huddersfield meaning he will miss the opening few weeks. Richard Whiting was also hurt in the same game. Influential playmaker Richard Horne is also sidelined while a torn hamstring has ruled out Great Britain winger Gareth Raynor. Hopefully, Berrigan - providing he can avoid black cats and not walk under any ladders - can add an extra dimension at hooker as he replaces former captain Richard Swain. Dykes too should make an impact and could form a formidable half-back partnership with Horne once the scrum-half is back to full health. And with city rivals Hull KR adding another former Airlie Bird in the ranks in Sean Briscoe, albeit in less controversial circumstances than Cooke's move, expect some more lively derby days. One to watch: Shaun Berrigan
The hooker is a high-class capture who could make all the difference to the Airlie Birds' attack.
Live on Sky: v Warrington Wolves
Friday February 8 - Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm
Regular season odds: 9/1
For a full list of odds from Sky Bet click here

Phil Clarke's verdict

Hull finished fourth last season and were very close to beating Wigan in the play-offs. Richard Horne almost side-stepped Harrison Hansen to score a winning try in the last minute of the play-off match, but ultimately they lacked the scoring power of a top team and only had the eighth best scoring record in Super League. A lot of questions have been asked about the Paul Cooke affair, he played just four of the opening 12 games and they only won two of them. They also lost Richard Swain on June 3rd and Shane McMenemy, who played just four games in 2007. They endured a poor start to the season in 2007 and that put them under pressure last year. They won just four of their opening 10 games, but went on to win eight of their last 10. Peter Sharp will be hoping that new signing Shaun Berrigan can do at Hull what James Roby did at St Helens last season. Furthermore, Adam Dykes will provide the organisation and experience they needed alongside the pace of Horne, if he recovers from injury. Forward Peter Cusack is another new arrival and he is a good player, better than Hutch Maiava in my opinion. And Craig Hall might become at Hull what Israel Folau was at Melbourne last year. If he has a good year he might find himself in an England kit at this year's World Cup. Willie Manu was virtually untackleable for them in 2007, but they possibly need more line breakers if they are to improve this season.