Gareth Ellis is set to come out of retirement and play for injury-hit Hull FC in Sunday's Super League clash with Wigan Warriors.

Ellis led the club to successive Challenge Cup final wins at Wembley before retiring at the end of the 2017 season, although he remained at the club as football manager last year.

The 37-year-old - an ex-England international who had successful spells with Leeds Rhinos and Wests Tigers in the NRL before joining Hull - is coaching the reserves this term.

However, the back-row forward put the boots back on to feature for the second string against Wakefield Trinity last weekend and now appears on course to make a stunning first-team return, with Ellis included in head coach Lee Radford's 19-man squad for the fixture against the Warriors.

Hull have turned to their old skipper due to a lack of forward options. Josh Bowden, Chris Green and Lewis Bienek are all ruled out through injury, while Scott Taylor is suspended.

"Where in a unique situation with regards our middles, we’ve now lost our first, second and third choice in terms of numbers in our go forward. Gaz will hopefully come in and help us in that department," Radford said.

"I've no doubt some of the blokes around him will be glad to see him pull on the jersey again, I thought last week he showed some of the qualities that only he possesses on the field against Wakefield."

If selected to play against the reigning champions this weekend, Ellis will make his 100th appearance for Hull.

While Radford has called on a familiar face to help his depleted squad, there could also be a debut for new recruit Ratu Naulago.

Rugby union convert Naulago has been granted permission to be relieved from active service with the British Army to sign for Hull after impressing during a trial spell, scoring five tries in four appearances.