RICHARD Agar says Hull FC's training so far this week has been both "encouraging and refreshing" after seeing almost his whole squad back in action.

Hull's preparations for their crunch clash with Leeds Rhinos on Saturday have been boosted further by the return to full training of Richard Horne.

With only long-term absentees Richard Whiting and Mark Calderwood missing, Horne's participation has again lifted numbers on the training ground for Agar.

And after finally being able to work with his two first-choice half-backs for the first time since Easter, Agar is in optimistic mood.

"After a weekend off for the players everyone turned up on Monday in good spirits and training has gone well this week so far," Agar told the Mail.

"We've got numbers out on the training field and that is encouraging and refreshing for us, particularly at this stage of the season.

"Having Richard Horne back and training with Sean Long has given everyone a lift. Both have come back well physically and that's pleasing to see."

Horne and Long are now set to make their first appearance alongside each other since the Good Friday victory at Craven Park against Hull KR.

And with Craig Fitzgibbon overcoming a niggling Achilles injury, Hull will be at almost full-strength for the visit of the champions, with Jordan Tansey still having to sit out for the last week of his two-game ban.

The Rhinos head to the KC in fourth position but looking to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the Challenge Cup final in such convincing fashion to Warrington.

Agar says he doesn't expect any cup headache for the Rhinos with his side preparing to face a team who will give them a massive test of their play-off credentials.

He added: "Leeds have been in situations like this before where they have bounced back and we are expecting a performance from them.

"After the final they were talking of the importance to finish fourth and that shows where their focus is.

"All the games are tough from here on in and we don't expect anything other than a very tough game on Saturday with so much at stake."