PETER Gentle says he's excited about being able to unleash a frustrated Liam Kent on opponents as the second row prepares for a comeback.
Kent has become something of a forgotten man at the KC Stadium this season after recovering from shoulder reconstruction surgery at the end of the last campaign.
The 22-year-old, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, will play his first competitive game of the year on Sunday when he lines up for York City Knights against Dewsbury.
Having seen his Hull side drawn against North Wales Crusaders in the Challenge Cup, Kent is expected to make his seasonal Hull debut a week later against the Championship One team, before putting himself in contention for the Super League game against Wigan.
With Ben Galea out for a further five weeks because of a dislocated thumb, Gareth Ellis still waiting to make his debut and Danny Tickle awaiting scans on a leg injury, Kent's return will give Gentle much-needed options in his back row.
"I'm really excited at having Liam available again," he told the Mail.
"The plan is for Liam to play his first game for York this weekend and, like him, we are looking forward to him getting back out there.
"He's become something of the forgotten man, which can happen when you are out of the side for as long as he has been. But he's not gone unnoticed at training.
"Liam has picked up our trainer of the month award for the past two months which is an even more impressive achievement when you factor in he's been in rehab and hasn't been able to do everything.
"He's got his head down, worked exceptionally hard and it is all credit to him how he's responded. He will be a real asset to have back."
Kent's availability and the encouraging debut performance of Dean Hadley against Catalan Dragons has increased Gentle's options.
Having struggled to break into the team under Richard Agar, Kent was handed his chance by Gentle last year and enjoyed a run of games which saw the academy graduate establish himself in the squad.
While contemplating Kent's return, Gentle will have to wait until later this week to discover how long Tickle is facing on the sidelines.
Tickle struggled with what appeared to be a muscle strain in the victory against Catalan, continually stretching his leg before hobbling off in the second half of the weekend victory.
Initially set to have a scan on Monday, that was put back until today to give the injury time to settle down.
"We have some concerns over Danny, but until he has the scan and we get the results it is difficult to say what we are looking at," added Gentle.
"We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully, it won't be too serious, but we do have some cover.
"Dean Hadley showed he isn't out of place in Super League, while Kenty is also coming back."
