Hodgson expects another close contest against the Warrington Wolves

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Hull FC Head Coach Brett Hodgson is anticipating another close contest with Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The previous encounter between the two sides on April 18th ended in the Super League’s first-ever Golden Point draw at the MKM Stadium, and the former Wire full-back expects another tight affair on his first return since leaving in 2013.

“We’ll be up for it, I’m sure they will be as well. It’s going to be a good challenge.”

The two sides come into the game in contrasting form, with Wire winning three out of their last four matches whilst FC have suffered three successive defeats, the latest a 40-10 home defeat to reigning champions St Helens.

Despite recent results, Hodgson still holds a firm belief that his side aren’t far away from finding a winning formula.

“Its fine margins that can make a huge difference in this game.”

“I thought there were elements of our game against St Helens that were better than the Leeds performance, so we just need to get a little bit more confidence and trust in the system that we’re putting in play here, and ultimately a little bit of luck along the way.”

“We’re worrying about ourselves this week. We as a coaching staff have challenged some players this week  about finding their form. We aren’t playing at the level we want, so its on us as a group to make sure we get back to that level.”

The 43-year old also has some key men back in contention for this weekend’s 21-man squad against Wire, as well as providing an update on those side-lined for a longer period;

“We get a couple back, Danny Houghton and Carlos Tuimavave will play and Josh Bowden comes back into contention as well.”

“Jamie Shaul, Jake Connor, Scott Taylor and Masi Matongo are all close to coming back too.”. Hodgson was still none the wiser in regards into Connor Wynne’s sternum injury.

Ahead of Sunday’s game, FC announced their first recruitment ahead of the 2022 season in Huddersfield winger Darnell McIntosh, and whilst excited about the initial signing, played down answers about how many new faces will be brought through the door in the coming weeks, saying “I don’t want to put a number on it”;

“He’s a very good player. He’s got ambition to become better than what he is at the moment, he knows that he has to work hard to find a place in our squad and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

“A good young British talent who’s played for England Knights and over 100 games already at a young age, so he has the first team experience that will benefit us and the ability to play in a number of positions.”

“He’s a different type of player to what we’ve got at the moment. He’s a very skilful player, he’s got pure speed, good in the air and good defensively. The fact he can play in a number of positions also helps our squad balance.”

“We are trying to build a squad and trying to make ourselves better going into next season, whether that’s with the players we’ve got here or bringing someone in.”

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