Smith said Carlos has just started running again this week. Need to see how his achillies goes.

Sounds another couple of weeks at least

Don't know if it's been mentioned but Liam Moore is the video ref on Saturday.

With them streaming the game, we've got more cameras at the ground allowing them to have a video ref

Hope if he goes with a new FB (which I don't think he will) he goes with Litten over Shaul, one has a great pre season and had a stormer for the reserves and is the future whilst the Shaul was injured for a lot of pre season hasn't played a game for ages and has played well since 2018.

I'd think Hoy is likely to stay at FB while we have options at 6 (though I hope it isn't Houghton as mentioned in the HDM) think the likely one would be Lovodua.
Though if Smith feels moving Hoy to 6 is better than like you I'd hope he'd give Litten the chance at FB ahead of Shaul due to the reasons you've mentioned.

A lot of our better performances last season happened when Joey was in the halves too:
Leeds & Wigan away
Hudds, Warrington & Catalan at home

Hopefully having him and Dre defending next to each other gives our right edge more threat and more mobility when defending because Lane and Ben Mc both seem really heavy on their feet.

The Hoy/Clifford combination was tried, with mixed results in their NRL days, so it wouldn't be entirely a surprise, but FB is a halfback, attack wise on most plays, so it would probably be better to stick Lovo there, especially if we have no FB options, other than Shaul, who is sound defensively, but not great with his link play, as we all know. I'd love to see Litten given a run, if we need a FB, as he is a great prospect and already a better option for me than Shaul, but I thought he'd been loaned to Newcastle, although I may be wrong.

need to pay carlos off.

Tony Smith has names his 21-man squad for Saturday’s Betfred Super League Round Four clash against Salford Red Devils, brought to you in association with Jadan Press.
After victory in their opening two games, Hull will be aiming to return to winning ways after defeat last time out against Catalans in the South of France.

Tickets for the match remain available in store and online – get yours now by clicking here

Smith has made two changes to the side that was named in advance of the fixture at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, with Ben McNamara and Liam Sutcliffe both dropping out through injury.

The pair are replaced by Scott Taylor, who returns having served his one-match suspension, and young forward Will Gardiner who impressed for the Reserves against London last weekend.

Carlos Tuimavave, Jake Trueman, Connor Wynne, and Mitieli Vulikijapani are also unavailable through injury.

The full 21-man squad can be found below:
1 – Tex Hoy
2 – Adam Swift
5 – Darnell McIntosh
7 – Jake Clifford
8 – Ligi Sao
9 – Danny Houghton
10 – Chris Satae
11 – Andre Savelio
12 – Jordan Lane
13 – Brad Fash
14 – Joe Lovodua
15 – Joe Cator
16 – Kane Evans
17 – Cam Scott
20 – Jack Brown
23 – Josh Griffin
25 – Davy Litten
27 – Will Gardiner
29 – Jamie Shaul
30 – Scott Taylor
33 – Brad Dwyer

1 centre in the squad? Looks like either Griffin or Mcintosh in the centre

Can only see Griffin going centre alongside Cameron Scott not many more options as Carlos out again. Like a lot have said I can't see him moving Hoy form FB so here goes

Hoy
McIntosh
Scott
Griffin
Swift
Lover
Clifford
Tag
Dwyer
Sao
Savelio
Lane
Fash
Subs
Satae
Brown
Evans
Houghton

Hoy
Mcintosh
Scott
Griffin
Swift
Lovodua
Clifford
Taylor
Houghton
Sao
Lane
Savelio
Fash

Satae
Brown
Dwyer
Cator

Not ideal, putting Griffin there is probably the only option, someone, otherwise you have to either switch a few players or play Mcintosh there, which I think would be a mistake.

4 centres out injuries isn't great.

I'd go with

Hoy
Mcintosh
Scott
Griffin
Swift
Lovodua
Clifford
Evans
Houghton
Taylor
Sao
Savelio
Fash

Dywer
Satae
Brown
Cator

Hoy
Swift
Griffin
Scott
Mcintosh
Lovodua
Clifford
Taylor
Houghton
Satae
Savelio
Sao
Fash

Evans
Brown
Dwyer
Cator

As mentioned previously, really think the right edge needs bolstering, id still have Sao in for Lane, moving Griffin into the Centres.

Wouldn't be shocked to see a curveball from Smith, such as Litten on the bench to give us some options in the backs.

I reckon this is probably the best option we have available. Lane needs at least a week off and to fix up his D. Griffin looks fitter and more mobile than last season so should do a job.

I see a lot saying move Hoy but why when we don’t have to. Let him find some consistency and gel in his preferred position.

I’d like to see Litten rewarded with a spot on the bench and Salford would be a good game for him but with so many missing I don’t think it’s wise. For me he’s should be second choice full back at the minute. Great preseason & had some game time Vs shaul who’s sadly been out injured. Litten also needs chance to build some experience.

Wonder about Cator in the back row If fit. I’d prefer Sao there but carrying Savelio and Sao in starting back row shirts might be a risk right now.