HULL FC will have a triple boost at training today as former Hull KR duo Shannon McDonnell and Ben Galea report for duty, alongside returning England Knights captain Danny Houghton.
McDonnell and Galea are seen as two key additions for 2013 by head coach Peter Gentle.
McDonnell, who was subject to continued links to the Black and Whites throughout the second half of last season, flew into the country last week and briefly met some of his new team-mates on Friday.
The ex-Robin has spent the past month training at his home in Sydney, and was today set for testing to gauge his fitness before being thrown in with his new side for a gruelling pre-season programme.
Having been without a specialist full-back last season following Wade McKinnon's decision to return home to Australia just months into his three-year deal, Gentle went after McDonnell to plug an important hole in his side.
Signed on a two-year contract, his arrival will see the two work together once again after Gentle oversaw the full-back's progression through to the first team at Wests Tigers.
Gentle will also be reacquainted with close friend Galea, another who he knows well from his days at the Tigers.
He, like McDonnell, was unable to agree terms over a new deal at Craven Park, and agreed to make the surprise switch across the city the day before his final game for the Robins last season.
With half-back Daniel Holdsworth not arriving until after Christmas, and fellow new recruit Gareth Ellis yet to report at the club, Gentle is eager to get the pair fully acclimatised at Hull ahead of the festive break and January camp.
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