HORNE AND CROOKS NAMED FOR CUP COMEBACK
FC head coach Peter Gentle has recalled Mark O'Meley, Richard Horne and Ben Crooks to his 19-man squad for Saturday's Tetley's Challenge Cup Final with the trio all returning from injury.
Horne was in the form of his life earlier in the season before picking up an injury at Magic Weekend against Hull KR, whilst centre Crooks, the club's top try-scorer this season, has been the brightest young talent to emerge this season in Super League before getting injured last month.
Both have been pushing hard to return in time for the showpiece event at Wembley against Wigan Warriors and they replace Joe Arundel and Paul Johnson, whilst O'Meley wasn't risked for the win over Salford with a slight strain but returns in place of youngster Josh Bowden.
It's heartbreak for Arundel who is set for surgery after suffering a hand injury last time out against the Reds, whilst Johnson and Bowden are the unfortunate squad members to cruelly miss out on the chance to play in rugby league's greatest game.
The Black and Whites are still without Shannon McDonnell, Ben Galea and Tom Lineham.
Tetley's Challenge Cup Final Squad: Briscoe, Crookes, Crooks, Ellis, Green, Heremaia, Horne, Holdsworth, Houghton, Lynch, Miller, O'Meley, Pitts, Shaul, Tickle, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman