City’s star winger will be sidelined for just over a month
Hull City look set to be without star winger Mohamed Belloumi for around six to eight weeks after the Algerian damaged his hamstring against Southampton.
Belloumi stepped up his return from the ACL injury he suffered at Oxford United on Bonfire Night last November by starting his first game last Saturday at the MKM Stadium.
After an encouraging start, Belloumi pulled up just before half-time in City’s superb 3-1 victory, and had to be replaced by Darko Gyabi following a spell of treatment.
The setback, seen so often after ACL surgery, will come as a hammer blow to Belloumi, who had looked sharp in his cameo appearances since making his initial return off the bench in the defeat to Blackburn Rovers on August 23.
The 23-year-old is now expected to be out of action for up to two months, which takes him up to either side of the November international break, but it remains to be seen if he’ll feature before or after that.
Before the final international window until March, City have nine fixtures to play, starting with the trip to Watford on Saturday followed by two crucial home games against Preston North End and Sheffield United.
City will welcome back Brandon Williams after he missed the last two games under concussion protocols, but the trip to Vicarage Road will come too soon for Semi Ajayi (hamstring) and Matt Crooks (ankle), but it’s hoped they’ll feature before the international break.
Liam Millar is in the squad for the first time since he ruptured his ACL against Burnley last October. The Canadian winger was expected to be involved in the Under-21s’ 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town’s training ground on Tuesday, but City opted to keep him in training at Cottingham to prepare for the weekend, where he will be on the bench.
More to follow….
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