John Cartwright has provided a Hull FC injury update.

16:03, 28 Jan 2026Updated 17:12, 28 Jan 2026

Hull FC winger Joe Ward will miss the entire 2026 season after rupturing his ACL in Sunday’s pre-season game against Huddersfield Giants.

The young outside back copped the knock during the clash at Brantingham Park, with scans revealing the worst news for the Hull winger, who made his first-team debut in the Challenge Cup last year.

Ward will now undergo a significant rehab period, with the aim of getting back to full fitness for the start of the 2027 season.

“He’s done his ACL so that’s him out for the season,” head coach John Cartwright told Hull Live. “We’ll book him in to get operated on and then he’ll start his recovery process.

“It’s a major injury, an ACL, and it’s a long time for recovery, but he’s got a lot of good people around him, good staff, and the players will be around him. He will get the best possible chance to recover.

“We’ll get him back on the field next year. He’s shown some good signs and we’ll all be behind him.”

Elsewhere, Hull will be without Matty Laidlaw for this week’s pre-season game at Wigan Warriors, with the prop going through protocols after failing an HIA against Huddersfield.

Liam Knight will also be absent for a week after copping a head knock in training. The prop has been in full training since the new year and is fully fit again after breaking his ankle last season.

“Matty won’t be right for the Wigan game,” Cartwright said. “But if he passes his protocols next week, he will be for the cup game.

“The same goes for Liam Knight. It happened yesterday (Tuesday), and he goes into his protocol period now. He’s been training well, his body is right, and he’s ready to play. He’s had a head clash at training and hopefully he’ll be alright in 11 days.”

Cartwright also confirmed that Joe Phillips has picked up a minor injury in pre-season, with Roman Dawson also completing the end of his rehab after back-to-back ACL injuries and Ben Johnson back in full training after a pre-season knock.

“Roman is still coming back from his ACL,” Cartwright added. “Ben is back in full training now. Joe picked up an injury to his leg in training. He’s close to full training again.”

Herman Ese’ese is still in rehab after his Achilles rupture last August, with Hull also monitoring James Bell (knee) and John Asiata (hamstring). Bell picked up a pre-season injury, with the club being cautious on Asiata after surgery.