Dykes could miss Challenge Cup final

Underdogs Hull could be without their first choice half-back, Adam Dykes, for the Challenge Cup final on 30 August.

The side to face St Helens at Wembley could be severely weakened by a crop of injuries from Sunday's defeat by Huddersfield, with Dykes the main casualty.

The Australian, plagued by injuries all season, lasted just ten minutes before damaging a quad muscle. Hull are waiting for the results of a scan, but the fear is that he is a doubtful starter for the final.

That increases the chances of Richard Agar taking a major risk on Richard Horne, who has not played since March but has been given the all-clear after a career-threatening neck problem. To make matters worse, Hull also lost Garreth Carvell, Danny Tickle and Peter Cusack during the Huddersfield match.

Huddersfield are to allow all spectators in free against the Catalan Dragons on Saturday. The Giants' chairman, Ken Davy, has promised an important announcement at half-time.

The former Huddersfield coach, Jon Sharp, has joined Hull as football operations manager and assistant to Agar.

Wakefield have denied that their coach, John Kear, resigned after the defeat by Castleford on Sunday.

The Catalans have banned a fan after throwing beer at the referee, Steve Ganson, after the draw with Wigan on Saturday.