Hull FC grant Martin Gleeson leave for stress

Gleeson joined the Airlie Birds on an 18-month contract

Hull FC have granted troubled centre Martin Gleeson leave for a stress-related illness.

The Super League club confirmed the former Great Britain player's absence in a statement after rumours circulated that the 30-year-old had been sacked.

Gleeson joined Hull in April after he was released by former club Wigan with 18 months left on his contract.

Hull have not confirmed how long he will be away from the club for and have refused to comment further.

The former Wigan, St Helens and Warrington player has made seven appearances for the Black and Whites since his move and scored five tries, including one on his debut against Hull KR on Good Friday.

Gleeson, who has been capped 20 times by Great Britain, left Wigan under a cloud in March when a statement confirming his departure cited injury, discipline and an unspecified "serious distraction in his personal life" as reasons for him leaving.

This latest episode forms a new chapter in what has been a colourful career in sport for the England man.

In 2004, while with St Helens, he was given a four-month ban for his part in a rugby league betting scandal which also involved then team-mate Sean Long.

And last season he was dropped by Wigan for a game against Huddersfield for disciplinary reasons.