The Hull FC prop is in good spirits and has a return game in sight.
Hull FC prop Herman Ese’ese has a return date in sight. (Image: Hull FC)
Herman Ese’ese has his Hull FC comeback target in sight, and it just happens to be the biggest game of the season.
Targeting the Good Friday derby at Hull KR on Friday 3 April, the Super League Dream Team prop, who ruptured his Achilles tendon last August, is around six months post-operation and in the midst of a long-term rehab process. But he’s making good progress, and after plenty of work on the bikes and in the gym, he will begin running this month.
Setting his sights on the 250th Hull derby, Ese’ese is in good spirits and confident he can make the Easter clash, ensuring he would only miss the opening six Super League rounds and two Challenge Cup games.
“I’m coming up to six months post-op now and my leg feels really good,” Ese’ese told Hull Live. “I’m ticking boxes in rehab and it’s progressing really well. I start running this month (February). It’s feeling strong.
“I’m targeting the Good Friday game against Hull KR. I think it’s a good timeline for me and that’s what the staff are pushing for as well. I’m confident I can come back for that game. It’ll be a huge game, a rival game, and there’s no better game to come into than that one.
“I’m working hard now behind the scenes trying to get my leg right, ticking more boxes in my rehab, and hopefully I can then come back for that game.”
Navigating a new challenge, Ese’ese’s Achilles rupture was the first major injury of his career, but it’s something he came to terms with quickly, with all focus on returning to action as soon possible.
“I just went to push off and it felt like someone kicked my heel,” Ese’ese recalled. “I knew straight away it was my Achilles when I went down to grab it and there was a little bit of a gap there.
“It was a tough pill to swallow and I was really emotional leaving that field. It’s the first big injury of my career. I’ve been lucky with that but it’s a new challenge for me now to come back from it and I’m confident I can come back stronger and fitter.
“It’s been a long process, but I’m getting there. I went in for surgery the week after the Leeds game. The two weeks after surgery are then the most important to stop infections coming through, so it was mainly about resting and elevating my leg and not doing too much. I couldn’t really move a lot. I was bed ridden and after that, I was in a cast for three more weeks and then I slowly started walking and then went into the rehab.
“I’m really happy with how rehab has gone. I’ve been looking at the positives. You don’t ever want to get injured, but if there was a time to get injured, it’s that time. I missed the end of last season, but I’m almost six months post-op now and the new season hasn’t even started yet. I’m really happy about that. Hopefully, there’s just a couple more months of rehab and I’m back. I’m feeling confident. I can’t wait.”
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