Cooke ready to steady Hull with early return

Hull have received good news for the new season, with Paul Cooke's absence now expected to be shorter than first feared. The stand-off damaged medial ligaments at Castleford last weekend and was described as being out indefinitely.

He hopes to be back for the game at Warrington on 25 February, although Tommy Lee deputises against the Catalan Dragons on Sunday.

Chris Thorman has been cleared to play at Bradford the same day, despite being concussed playing for Huddersfield against St Helens last Sunday. Saints are confident their match against Harlequins will go ahead, despite part of their pitch being frozen yesterday.

Brent Grose is out of Warrington's side at Wigan tonight with a training injury to his ankle.