Hull hopeful over Minichiello; update on Houghton and Taylor

Hull are hopeful that back-rower Mark Minichiello will be available for Saturday’s Super League clash with Castleford.

Minichiello, 36, suffered an ankle injury in the defeat to Wigan during their trip Down Under.

It proved a costly defeat, as hooker and captain Danny Houghton suffered a hamstring injury, while Scott Taylor was forced to undergo surgery due to appendicitis.

Radford told the club’s official website: “We could have Mini back for Castleford next week, but Scott is still a few weeks away. Thankfully he will be on the same flight home as us though.

“We could have Danny back a little bit sooner than expected also. We’re hoping he could be out for just four to five weeks, rather than seven to eight.”

Liam Watts, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Wigan, recovered in time to play and score a try in the exhibition match with St George-Illawarra Dragons on Saturday.