HULL coach Richard Agar believes centre Kirk Yeaman is playing himself into contention for an England recall.

The 27-year-old Yeaman has not played for his country since 2007 after going through a slump in form and did not even make national coach Steve McNamara’s back-up England Knights squad earlier this year.

However, he is Engage Super League’s runaway leading tryscorer and a hat-trick in Hull’s thrilling 24-24 draw with St Helens took his tally to 14 in 13 appearances.

“Kirk has been very hungry this season,” said Agar.

“We’ve set him some targets, some tangible goals, and he’s set about them in good style.

“He’s playing strongly. He’s got the bit between his teeth and he’s determined to force his way into international selection, which is great for us.

“The fact that he didn’t make it in either England squad is really good for us. It seems to have given him that extra spur and, if he keeps performing like this for us, he won’t be far off.”

Yeaman’s two first half tries helped Hull build an 18-0 lead and, after Saints struck back to edge into a 22-18 lead, he looked to have won the game for the Black and Whites by completing his hat-trick six minutes from the end.

However, the drama continued right to the final whistle, with Jamie Foster landing a 40-metre penalty to tie the scores and both Danny Tickle (Hull) and Kyle Eastmond (St Helens) failing with last-gasp drop-goal attempts.

“I thought we had put ourselves in a position at the death to come up with a victory and the way it transpired was a bit of a disappointment,” said Agar.

“We had a tough Easter but five points from six is a good return. We are just disappointed it’s not six.”

Agar, who is still waiting to find out if he is to be punished for making critical comments about referee James Child earlier this season, claimed Steve Ganson’s decision to award St Helens a late penalty was a harsh one.

Hull substitute Danny Washbrook was ruled to have tackled debutant Saints full-back Nathan Ashe in the air as he attempted to catch a high ball.

“Danny Washbrook’s eyes were on the ball and I thought he was quite entitled to make a play for it,” said Agar.

A second draw of the season enabled Saints to draw level with leaders Warrington and, although they remain third on points difference, coach Royce Simmons was delighted with another battling performance from his side under difficult circumstances.

Simmons had eight first team players missing and he was forced to throw 19-year-old Ashe into the action after only 15 minutes when winger Ade Gardner went off.

“It’s a point I suppose,” said Simmons. “Our ball control in the first half was poor and that tells you you’re going to come in well behind on the scoreboard.

“If you’d have said then you’re going to get a point I’d have taken it. I did mention to the boys that we could get back in the game but I thought doing all that defence in the first half came back to bite us.”

Simmons was delighted with the debut of Ashe and believes there is much more to come from Eastmond, who was handed a recall after the loss of five half-backs to injury.

“Kyle wasn’t poor but he’ll certainly get better,” he said.

“Nathan was the last back we had left in the club.

“I was only expecting to use him for 15 or 20 minutes at the back end of the game but he was called on 15 minutes in.

“I thought he was tremendous. He didn’t panic, got some good balls out the back and did some nice things. Once he gets his fitness and strength levels up, there will be a good future there for him.”