City are back on home turf for the first time in almost a month
Hull City will run the rule over Liam Millar in the next couple of days before deciding whether or not to include the Canadian winger in the squad to face Southampton on Saturday.
Miller has not played since succumbing to an ACL injury early on against Burnley last October, but has returned to full training in the past week, and is pushing for a place in the squad this weekend.
Naturally, City want him back involved with the first team squad, but are acutely aware of the need to cautious with the 25-year-old and not rush him.
Elsewhere, the Tigers will be able to call upon Brandon Williams after suffering a concussion last Tuesday in training. It had been expected that the former Manchester United ace would miss the visit of the Saints after sitting out the 2-2 draw at Swansea City, but assistant boss Dean Holden confirmed to Hull Live that the defender would be in the squad.
As expected, Semi Ajayi and Matt Crooks are not yet fit enough to feature as they recover from hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively, but it’s hoped they can be against Watford next weekend.
“No (fresh injuries). We think it’ll be a similar squad to last week,” Holden told Hull Live. “Mo Belloumi coming back in has been a fantastic addition to our squad, top, top player.
“I thought Lewie Coyle can be really pleased with his performance (at Swansea) coming back in, having not played since pre-season out in Istanbul. Crooksy and Big Semi (Ajayi) will still be missing for this game, as will Elliot Matazo, another top player I can’t wait to see.
“Liam Millar’s been back with the group. We just have to make a decision, really, in terms of when that return game is going to be for him. He’s not far away now. It’s such a nasty injury, we need to make sure we just get that bit right. Liam coming back in will be a great boost for everybody.”
Holden says that the coaching staff have been pleased with what they’ve seen from Millar since he returned to full training with the group.
“He looks sharp,” Holden continued. “Again, it’s replicating – unfortunately, in my career, I didn’t have the same injury, but many long-term injuries – it’s getting through the initial phase of rehab, and once you’re on the grass and getting the fitness work, he’s a fit lad, he always has been very, very diligent, top professional.
“It’s then replicating the match day stuff in training and non-contact to start with, getting a bit of confidence, and then drip feeding and coming into a floater in certain sessions. We’ve been pleased with what we’ve seen so far.
“Which is difficult (tempering his enthusiasm), the same with Mo (Belloumi), as well, which is what you want. The same with Semi and Crooksy. It’s just making sure that once they come back in, they’re ready to stay in. That’s the key thing for us, and we’re all desperate to have all those guys back. Everyone I’ve mentioned, but making sure that when they do come back, they’re going to stay in and around it.
“Yes, he did (had a concussion), but he’s been training this week fine and he’ll be up for selection, yeah,” Holden added on the return of Williams after missing the draw at Swansea.
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