Davy Litten reveals injury return as young Hull FC back buoyed by new pre-season challenge

Rugby League can be a cruel game at times; just ask Davy Litten. After seven weeks out with a MCL knee injury, the 21-year-old lined up for Hull FC once again, having passed all the return-to-play protocols. However, in the first half of his return against Salford, he suffered a recurrence of the same injury.

Unfortunately, this time was much more serious, with Litten requiring surgery to correct the issue. Thankfully, that surgery last month was successful, with the Hull-born back now on the mend. One month down, he's hard at work in the gym, doing all he can to come back as a better and stronger player.

"My head was all over the place at the start when I found out, but my mindset at the moment is good," Litten, speaking exclusively to Hull Live, said. "I started reading a few books and learning about myself. I'm enjoying the new challenge now.

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"The boys and coaching staff have all been great. It's been tough watching the boys on the field, but we've got a nice little rehab crew going on at the minute, and it's going well. I've got a smile on my face, and that's the main thing.

"I've been smashing my upper body. I've done a lot of weights, and I've just started doing single leg weights. It's going well. It's one of those things where I just have to get on with it. It's probably going to be April when I get back, so I've got five months really to just crack on with my rehab and get everything right. When I'm back, I want to be back with a bang. I want to be in the team and make a difference.

"I feel like I can do that wherever I play, so as soon as I'm back, I'm keen to stamp my mark on the team and the league, but at the moment, I'm just focusing day by day and week by week just to get this knee right. I'm excited for the challenge ahead."

Remaining positive, Litten is determined to keep up his attitude. A lively and energetic member of the squad, he's still keen to make an impression, with Gareth Ellis, in a new role this pre-season, playing a crucial part in his rehab.

"Every pre-season so far I've stamped my mark pretty well, and I've made a name for myself," Litten continued. "It's something different this year, but I can still make a name for myself doing different things and with the way I act. It's not ideal, but if you look at the positives from it, you'll get the best out of it and come back as a better person and definitely a better player.

"If you dwell too much on not being able to go out there and run, you're going to kill yourself; your brain will be shattered and your feelings and thoughts will be all over the place. It is a lonely place, rehab; you can't hide that fact; it's a long time being out, but sometimes you just have to get on with it. That's the plain and simple fact: if you're going to sit around and moan about it, then you won't get it done.

"I've really attacked my weights; I love doing weights anyway, but I've really pushed it. I speak to Gaz Ellis all of the time as well. He's been class with me. He's in a new role now, but we've always gotten along and had good chats with each other. We're sitting down a couple of times a week and just catching up about anything.

"If it wasn't for Gaz, I'd be struggling a lot more, so I've got big raps for him. He's been great for us all. He is a legend in his own right, so it's not bad being able to talk to him every day. I can't thank him enough. My family has been class as well. I'm one month down, five to go, but I'm attacking everything I'm doing the best I can."

As well as gym work, rehab has seen Litten focus more on video too, with the player impressed and motivated by the detail John Cartwright, Simon Grix, and Andy Last are putting into him.

"I'm learning a lot about playing centre still; Carty, Lasty, and Grixy are really helping me out," Litten explained. "I'm doing a lot of video with them and learning different things. I can't do repetitions on the field at the moment, but the more I'm watching, the more I'm getting it drilled into my head.

"I know what I can do with the ball, but it's about the defensive movements as a centre, I want to be the best at it, and you've got to make it personal, so I'm just listening to the coaches. We've got a really good blend of coaches, so I can't wait to get back onto the field and show them that I've been listening and I'm invested in what they've been saying."

And as for where he'll play next year, Litten believes it will be centre, but as always, he'll do a job wherever he is asked.

"I spoke to Carty, and he thinks it's centre, but at the end of the day, I'm always going to have that versatility in me," Litten added. "I just love this club, so if I have to play middle, then I'll play middle. I'll put my hand up to play anywhere; it's a really exciting time at the moment, so to be able to get this club back up to the top and being involved in that is a big drive.

"It makes it very emotional to be able to do that, and I think we have the capabilities to do it in our squad. We're working hard now, but that can't stop. It has to be a 12-month thing for a full year. I can't speak for the back end of the year yet, but I can speak for now, and the boys are really digging in. It's great to see; it's been a nice freshen up for us, and the environment is a lot more professional after what Richie (Myler) has brought in. It's a really good place to be."

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