Knights answer Hull SOS after Taylor has appendix surgery

Author: Brad Walter NRL Senior Reporter
Timestamp: Tue 13 Feb 2018, 10:14 AM

Newcastle Knights winger Curtis Naughton has been given permission to play for Hull FC in Saturday night's match against St George Illawarra Dragons after England prop Scott Taylor joined a growing list of unavailable players following emergency appendix surgery.

Taylor, who was a member of England's World Cup squad, played through the pain of appendicitis in last Saturday night's Super League match against Wigan Warriors at WIN Stadium in the belief he was merely suffering severe stomach cramps.

The 26-year-old had appendix surgery in Wollongong after being taken to hospital as the pain worsened and will miss this weekend's double-header match at ANZ Stadium, in which Hull FC will play the Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs take on Wigan.

Taylor, who took over the Hull FC captaincy in their 24-10 loss after hooker Danny Houghton was forced from the field in the first half with a torn calf, posted a message thanking hospital staff as well as the Super League club's army of travelling fans from England.

Well it’s been a crazy last few days and still recovering in hospital after surgery. Thanks everyone for the messages and big thanks to all the staff at Wollongong hospital who have been brilliant and continue to look after me. Last mention for all you black and whites who travelled and showed once again your the best in business! Gutted about result and my situation but can’t wait to be back out there. 👍🏻⚫️⚪️

A post shared by Scott Taylor (@scotttagtaylor) on Feb 12, 2018 at 1:10am PST

With Houghton sidelined for eight weeks and secondrower Mark Minichiello (ankle), prop Liam Watts (hamstring), centre Jake Connor (knee) and winger Bureta Faraimo (concussion) all injured against Wigan, Hull made an SOS call to Naughton.

The winger previously played for Hull but left the club last year to move to Australia and is a member of the Knights 2018 NSW Cup squad.

Knights officials confirmed to NRL.com on Tuesday that Naughton had been given a clearance to play for Hull in the match against the Dragons.