Hull FC are believed to be close to agreeing a new contract with versatile star Jake Connor.
The 26-year-old is currently shining at fullback in the absence through a knee injury of Jamie Shaul.
The former Huddersfield player’s current deal runs out at the end of this season.
And while he has yet to earn a place in Shaun Wane’s England squad after featuring internationally under Wayne Bennett, he has plenty of other admirers, including League Express reporters, who have him leading this year’s Albert Goldthorpe Medal table after four Super League rounds.
Hull, who signed Connor ahead of the 2017 campaign and have played him in a variety of backline roles, are reportedly keen to keep him, with talks said to be at an advanced stage.
He has flourished under the coaching of Brett Hodgson, himself a former New South Wales fullback and Man of Steel with Huddersfield in 2009, and featured in all five of the Black and Whites’ matches so far this season, taking him ever closer to the milestone of 150 Super League appearances.
Hull, who remained unbeaten by defeating Wakefield 20-14 at the KCOM Stadium on Friday, are currently preparing for back-to-back game against Wigan, at the DW Stadium in Super League on Thursday and at Headingley in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup on Saturday week.
Andre Savelio, Adam Swift and Carlos Tuimavave scored tries while Marc Sneyd kicked four goals against Wakefield.
Danny Houghton again turned out at hooker after registering 85 tackles, the highest figure in one game since the number started being recorded in 2003, during the 14-14 home draw with Warrington five days earlier, although this time he didn’t play the full 80 minutes, sharing the hooking role with Jordan Johnstone, who was making his first appearance of the season.
“We showed that we were bruised and battered at times and it’s easy to underestimate the amount of effort we put in against Warrington,” said Hodgson.
“It took a lot of energy out of our system and the fact there was a five-day turnaround, you saw that in our attacking structures.
“I’m learning many things about the group every single day and what I know now is that when we are under a little adversity and our backs are against the wall, we come up with the right answers.”
Hodgson has loaned back-up fullback Connor Wynne to Championship side York for a month, with Hull having a recall option after a fortnight.
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