Brett Hodgson's Hull FC conundrum as he plots for life without key creator Jake Connor

It's no secret that Jake Connor plays an essential role in Hull FC's attack. The stats speak for themselves. With 24 assists and three tries, the fullback has had a decisive contribution in almost half of the Black and Whites' tries this season.

Connor now faces almost three months on the sidelines through injury. The fact Brett Hodgson's side has managed to score just two tries in the two games he has missed this season is an inevitable cause for concern.

Granted, those games were against the two best defences in Super League, but until FC post point and, more to the point, a win, without Connor, they will have to accept concern will linger.

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Ultimately, they have to find a new way to unlock defences, whether that be through one individual or a collective effort. As it stands, the rest of the Hull FC squad has 30 assists this season, compared to Connor who has 24 individually, that's a big void to fill.

It's worth pointing out that Hull FC's entire offensive philosophy revolves around putting Connor in a position to deliver the final pass and his numbers show how effectively those surrounding him do their job to give him the time and space to put someone to the line.

But finding someone who can do it as well as the Halifax-born star is going to be nigh on impossible, which poses a real problem to Hodgson and how he takes the team forward from here. Of his potential fullback options, all of them possess qualities, but they tend to be around their running game more than their passing.

Jamie Shaul, as an example, has averaged more than a try every other game during his Super League career, a fine record, but he's never been a