Hull boss Shaun McRae says injuries ruined his side's chances of reaching the play-offs.

His squad have been decimated in the final third of the season, ending all hopes of pipping Castleford for third spot.

Tomorrow their season ends on much the same note with no fewer than ten first choice players ruled out for one reason or another.

Hooker Mick Jenkins is the latest victim, having been ruled out after picking up a dead leg and that, combined with the rib cartilage injury which he has been carrying for some time, has put him out of the Bulls clash.

The feisty Australian, who showed his battling qualities with an all-action peformance at Odsal in July, misses out despite intensive treatment.

"I shouldn't have expected anything else really," said McRae. "The way the season has panned out, injuries seem to have destroyed our hopes of a strong finish.

"Micky is the sort of player who would play through virtually anything but even he has had to concede that there's a time when you just can't carry on."

But McRae is still looking forward to the visit of the Bulls having held them to an 8-8 draw at the Boulevard three days after their Challenge Cup final triumph at Murrayfield.

"The pressure is off in many respects and I don't think anyone is expecting us to do that well," he said. "I know Matt (Elliott) is resting a few players ahead of the play-offs so that should give us a bit of a leg up. Having said that, though, he's still got plenty of players in reserve, unlike me."

McRae again includes Scott Rhodes, on loan from Leeds, at scrum half and Alliance skipper Andy Last who starts his first senior game after previous appearances off the bench. Academy players Craig Farrell and Ian Bell are battling for places on the bench.