Thursday 23 July 2015 01:10, UK
Hull captain Gareth Ellis will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a snapped Achilles tendon.
The 34-year-old sustained the injury during Hull's 22-12 derby victory over Hull KR last Friday and is expected to be on the sidelines for at least four months.
Hull currently sit in seventh spot in Super League and remain on course to secure a place in the inaugural end of the season Super 8s.
"Gaz had his operation on Monday so he's going to be four to six months," coach Lee Radford confirmed.
"With it being pre-season, there will be no rush to get Gaz back. We'll make sure he's ready for next season."
Radford is also sweating on the fitness of Leon Pryce, who will see a specialist to determine the extent of a shoulder injury suffered in the same match.
Pryce has already undergone tests on the problem and Radford fears surgery will rule the 33-year-old out, like Ellis, for the rest of the season.
"Leon had his scan on Monday and he's seeing a consultant tonight to see if we can put off surgery and hopefully get him back within the next four or five weeks," he added.
"But, if he needs an operation, it's obviously a 12-week job and that will be his season as well.
"They're massive losses for us. They're obviously influential on the group so we've just got to make sure they're around the place and they're upbeat.
"And we've got to make the boys who come in and play in their roles do a job for us."
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