HULL playmaker Jason Smith has been banned from training with the rest of his teammates - but could still play against the Giants at the KC Stadium on Sunday (3.15).

The influential Australian was due to make his return after a back injury in Tuesday's home clash against Wigan which ended in a 20-20 draw.

But he was struck down by a stomach bug on the eve of the contest and was forced to pull out.

That immediately prompted Hull assistant coach John Kear to order Smith to stay away from the rest of the squad to avoid passing on the illness to his playing colleagues.

Hull are already without Richie Barnett (achilles), Richard Fletcher (leg), Chris Chester (knee), Garreth Carvell (knee), Graeme Horne (arm) and Danny Hill (shoulder).

It is a sizeable chunk out of the Hull squad which has lost Steve Prescott, Scott Logan, Warren Jowitt and Dwayne West.

Kear obviously needs all his players fully fit and as fresh as possible as they face their fourth game in 14 days, and against another of the sides occupying a top-six spot.

Last Friday, the east coast club were desperately unlucky to lose 28-24 at leaders Leeds Rhinos and then fought back dramatically from 18-2 down to draw with Wigan.

And Kear knows his side faces another tough test against his former club, and admitted he can't take anything for granted.

"I told Jason I didn't want to see him until tomorrow, and then we'll make a decision," confirmed Kear.

"That will give him time to recover and won't endanger any of the squad by passing the bug on.

"It is a precautionary thing and hopefully Jason will have recovered and be available for the Huddersfield game.

"As I said immediately after the Wigan match, we know the game against the Giants will be tough.

"I need as many players in good shape as possible."

Hull FC: Briscoe, Best, Eagar, Yeaman, Raynor, Cooke, Horne, Dowes, Swain, King, McMenemy, McNicholas, Lutpon, Barnett Jnr, Higgins, Wilkinson, Whiting, Scruton, Smith.

Huddersfield Giants: Reilly, Donlan, Evans, Nero, St Hilaire, Costin, Gene, Crabtree, Penkywicz, Gannon, Smith, Roarty, Jones, O'Hare, White, Fleary, Whittaker, Joseph, Grayson, Morrison.

Referee: Ashley Klein (London).