INJURY-HIT St Helens have taken Jed Cartwright on loan from Hull FC for the next month, with a view to making the move permanent.
Cartwright has appeared in each of Hull’s last four matches but has only played 23 games in two years with the club due to injuries.
The Australian back-rower signed when father John Cartwright was Hull head coach, but he is out of contract at the end of this season and was already expected to depart.
He’ll have the chance to impress Saints and earn a longer-term deal there after moving to the BrewDog Stadium to bolster a severely depleted pack.
Back-rowers Matt Whitley (wrist) and Curtis Sironen (ankle) have been on the sidelines alongside props Matty Lees and Jake Wingfield, who are both out for the season with knee injuries, and Noah Stephens, who is out indefinitely due to nerve damage.
Alex Walmsley and George Delaney will also be missing for Sunday’s home match against Toulouse Olympique, having failed head-injury assessments in last Sunday’s Magic Weekend defeat to Wigan Warriors.
“When we found out that Jed was available, it was a no-brainer for us,” said Saints head coach Paul Rowley.
“We’re obviously short on troops, so the opportunity to bring someone of Jed’s quality on board was too good to miss.
“We’re really appreciative of Hull FC’s co-operation and look forward to seeing Jed in a Saints shirt.”
Cartwright, 29, who played for Penrith Panthers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Newcastle Knights before moving to England in 2024, said: “I want to bring impact and energy.
“I’m a very competitive person, and I pride myself on giving everything every week.”
Hull, who have in turn signed Ethan O’Neill from Leeds Rhinos, said in a statement: “The club would like to thank Jed for his efforts in black and white, and wish him the best of luck for his future in the sport.”