Scott Taylor battling the odds to make rapid Hull FC return for upcoming derby

Scott Taylor is doing everything he can to feature for Hull FC against Hull KR this Sunday afternoon. The prop injured his shoulder against St Helens in the Challenge Cup last month and has missed the last two games in Super League.

The 32-year-old has shoulder ligament damage, as confirmed by Tony Smith in a recent press conference, with his diagnosis ranging from two to three weeks. However, the player is determined to prove his fitness in time as Hull look for some Good Friday revenge at Craven Park.

Touch and go; a decision will be made later this week with Taylor in training and testing his thresholds ahead of the 21-man squad being named on Friday afternoon.

"It's all been pretty positive, and I'm just taking it week by week," Taylor said on this week's Super League Show. "I'm still not definitely ruling myself out for this week.

"I think it's a case of doing more bits in training, getting some strapping on it, and seeing how it feels. I'll be trying my best to get out there.

"It's going to be a big game for both teams. We're four points adrift of the play-offs, so it's massive for us with ten games to go to get two points and not fall six behind. We'll look to settle some scores, but there's a bigger picture, and it will have a big effect on the table for us."

While season targets have been kept very quiet at Hull FC this year, the ramifications of Sunday's derby game are there for all to see. The Black and Whites need a victory to keep up their recent resurgence, while Rovers need to get back on track after five league defeats in six.

"There are a lot of nerves and a lot of tension," Taylor continued. "There is always a lot of banter at work or between families. There's a lot of pressure.

"If we don't come up with the result, I tend to know about it, and if we do come up with the result, you feel on top of the world. A lot of people live and breathe for these games and these fixtures. We've both had defeats going into the game, which makes it even more important for both teams to get a win."

Hull are coming into the derby off a spirited defeat to Catalans, while Rovers were humbled at Leigh last Friday night. It all counts for nothing come Sunday, with Taylor commenting on the frustration felt after the Dragons loss.

"There was a bit of frustration in there," he added. "We weren't downbeat with people feeling sorry for themselves, but there was some frustration, and we wished we were better in that first half. The chances were there to win the game, but we just didn't quite take them.

"Catalans took advantage of that. I thought they were very consistent for eighty minutes. They deserved the win, and they showed why they are at the top of the table."

Hull are also cautious on the fitness of Adam Swift, who took a knock to his back in the Catalans game. Tony Smith is also hoping to call on both Liam Sutcliffe and Tex Hoy this week, while Davy Litten remains a further option.