Minichiello on track after ankle injury

James Gordon

Hull back-rower Mark Minichiello will be ready for their Super League opener against Huddersfield after having surgery on his ankle.

Minichiello, 35, had the work done after captaining Italy at the World Cup and linked up with the rest of the Hull squad for pre-season this week after an extended break.

He told the club’s official website: “It’s been good. I’ve started doing a lot of rehab on my ankle after I had that cleaned out when I got back from the World Cup.

“I needed to have that done and I’m ready to go, it feels really good and I’ll start progressing pretty quickly from next week.

“My body was tired from last season and needed a break, I gave it that after the World Cup and now I’m ready to get back into it and start building towards round one.”

Hull open the season on the very first day, Thursday February 1, against Huddersfield Giants.