Hull City’s squad will be in better shape when the players return for the start of pre-season training in three weeks than they were 12 months ago, but the task facing new head coach Sergej Jakirovic remains a big one and he will need significant backing from Acun Ilicali.
City avoided relegation on goal difference last season, and finished a dismal, soul-destroying campaign as the lowest scorers in the league, with João Pedro’s six seeing him ranked as top goalscorer.
Abu Kamara finished the season with three assists, the joint-most with Marvin Mehlem, who spent the second half of the campaign on loan in Germany with Paderborn, highlighting where the improvements must come in the next couple of months before it all begins again.
The Tigers’ squad will be bolstered by the return of loanees Anthony Racioppi, James Furlong, Mehlem, Ryan Giles, and Xavier Simons, though significant doubt remains about their respective long-term futures.
Jakirovic will also inherit a squad hampered by ongoing injury trouble with Liam Millar, Mohamed Belloumi and Eliot Matazo all at different stages of their recoveries from ACL surgeries during the season.
Here’s a look at the group the Bosnian will take on at the MKM Stadium ahead of any new arrivals…
Goalkeepers
Ivor Pandur
Thimothee Lo-Tutala
Harvey Cartwright
Anthony Racioppi
Defenders
Lewie Coyle
Charlie Hughes
Alfie Jones
Sean McLoughlin
John Egan
Cody Drameh
Ryan Giles
Andy Smith
James Furlong
Matty Jacob – expected to leave the club
Midfielders
Eliot Matazo – recovering from an ACL injury
Steven Alzate
Harry Vaughan
Gustavo Puerta
Matt Crooks
Regan Slater
Abdus Omur
Xavier Simons – expected to leave the club
Marvin Mehlem – could yet join Paderborn
Attackers
Joao Pedro
Liam Millar – recovering from an ACL injury
Kyle Joseph
Mason Burstow
Mohamed Belloumi – recovering from an ACL injury
Abu Kamara
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