The City boss had plenty of decisions to make in the build-up to the game
Sergej Jakirovic says Semi Ajayi asked him for more time before making his return to Hull City‘s starting XI following his hamstring problem.
Ajayi was back in the City squad on Tuesday night for the first time since the opening day draw at Coventry in early August, and had been expected to come back into the starting XI in a bid to tighten up the Championship’s leakiest defence.
The Nigerian international was named on the bench for the 2-2 draw with Preston, but didn’t come on. Later in the game, when Ryan Giles came off with a cramp, it was Akin Famewo who got the nod and not Ajayi.
Jakirovic, though, remains confident the former West Brom ace will be fine to be in the squad that hosts Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United on Saturday, and he could be joined by Matt Crooks.
“I spoke yesterday (Monday) with Semi and he asked me for a little more time, so maybe he will be in the squad for this Saturday,” the Croatian told Hull Live.
“Crooks trained yesterday (Monday) with us for seventy per cent of the training, and then he did some individual work. We will see for this Saturday, but after Saturday, he will be in the squad.”
Jakirovic was also enthused by the returning Liam Millar, who played 45 minutes on his return from an ACL injury he sustained last October.
The Canadian was electric at times in the second half and helped create the equaliser for Oli McBurnie after sending in-form Ryan Giles clear down the left.
Jakirovic remains cautious about bringing Millar back, especially given the recent hamstring strain picked up by Mo Belloumi after his ACL return, but is excited to have him at his disposal.
“When I’m speaking with Liam, he’s always ready, but I am a little bit cautious because of Mo Belloumi,” Jakirovic continued.
“Liam looks good in training, so I just waited for the right moment, and I felt the right moment was at home, and not away.
“I’m very satisfied with him. He’s a very dangerous player, a very fast player, together with Gilo (Ryan Giles) on the left side, almost all the second half, they were very, very dangerous.
“Two goals came from the left side, so we are very happy because Liam is back and he will improve this group a lot.”
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