Hull FC are set to step up their recruitment search this week, with the club looking for some reinforcements ahead of Friday night’s round three game at Huddersfield Giants.

The Black and Whites have been very open about their intention to add to their squad this year, with some salary cap space available to bring in new players and bolster John Cartwright’s options. Hull Live understands that search has intensified this weekend, with an early season injury period impacting the first-team squad.

Hull were without eight first-team players for last Friday’s game against Wigan Warriors, and that total rose to nine after Ligi Sao’s leg injury. And while scan results are now being finalised to determine the severity of that blow, Hull have moved to try and bring in reinforcements for the here and now.

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The only player they can say will be back next week—at least with any conviction—is Amir Bourouh (HIA) with Jack Ashworth (illness) in contention. However, the likes of Zak Hardaker (groin), Jed Cartwright (hamstring), Oliver Holmes (knee), Davy Litten (MCL), Jack Charles (ankle), Matty Laidlaw (MCL), and Roman Dawson (ACL) are set to be absent.

That has seen Hull intensify their recruitment search, with the club open to bolstering their forward pack and centre spots. Both Cartwright and CEO Richie Myler have kept the recruitment door open this last month, with Cartwright telling Hull Live earlier this week that the scenario could ‘change’ next week pending the outcome of the Wigan game.

And that now looks to be the case with Sao’s injury. Hull are understood to be open to adding figures to their pack, with the loss of their front rower impacting their interchange rotation in the middle of the field. They are also open to a centre, having lost Hardaker and Litten, and won’t rule out the back row option given injuries to Cartwright and Holmes.

Speaking to Hull Live on Tuesday, Cartwright said, “You're always looking to improve. Recruitment is really hard, as you can only recruit what's out there, but you're always looking for depth, and you're always looking to improve, and then next week, it might change again depending on how you get through the game.

“It's not something that we've rushed at, and we won't rush it. When we see that someone is available who can improve our squad, then that's when we'll act, but most of that short recruitment is based around injuries, suspensions, and the like.”

And while the recruitment door is very much on 2026, it’s the short-term recruitment market that is a high priority at the moment, with Hull exploring all options in an effort to bolster their side for the trip to West Yorkshire and beyond.

They have been keen to acquire the right fit for the squad with players brought in who identify with the club’s principles and ongoing culture change. Those desires haven’t changed, but the understanding now is there is a greater push to bring in those players, giving Cartwright’s side a thicker feel to it with games against Huddersfield, Leigh, and Wakefield fast approaching.

So far, no deals have been completed, but Hull are very much active, with the hope that they can bring in additions before Wednesday’s 21-man squad deadline.