Sergej Jakirovic’s Tigers will be without one of their key performers for a period
Hull City have been hit by yet another injury setback as their early struggles continue after it was revealed John Lundstram is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Lundstram limped out of the win against Sheffield United before the international break with a calf injury, and scans have revealed damage that is likely to keep the Liverpudlian sidelined for at least four weeks, possibly six.
Losing the influential midfielder has come as another hammer blow to Sergej Jakirovic, who has had to contend with setback after setback in the early weeks of the campaign.
The 31-year-old will miss Saturday’s trip to Birmingham City, as well as games against Leicester City, Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Derby County and Portsmouth before the next international break, but it’s hoped he’ll return for the trip to QPR on November 22.
There is hope he could return ahead of schedule and before the break but Jakirovic is prepared for him to miss those games between now and the next pause for international fixtures.
Elsewhere, the news was a little more encouraging for Jakirovic with Manchester City loanee Joel Ndala back fit and available for the visit to St Andrew’s, further enhancing his options out wide.
Jakirovic will hope Liam Millar returns from international duty unscathed after playing the final half-hour of Canada’s goalless draw against Colombia in New Jersey on Wednesday night, backing up his 20 minutes in the loss to Australia on Friday night. The Canadian winger was due back in training on Thursday.
Like Millar, City will hope Semi Ajayi returns fit and ready to be involved at the weekend after notching up his first 90 minutes since the opening day of the season.
Ajayi, who has been nursing his way back to fitness after a hamstring injury, played a key role in Nigeria’s thumping 4-0 win over Benin in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, but his booking in that game means he’ll miss the Super Eagles’ play-off encounter with Gabon next month.
Kasey Palmer is expected back from a fine personal display in Jamaica’s 4-0 win over Bermuda on Wednesday night, playing 62 minutes, but it remains to be seen if he will be back in the squad after the issues around the Sheffield United game.
Mohamed Belloumi, it’s hoped, will be fit enough to be in the squad against Portsmouth early next month as he continues to progress in his recovery from a hamstring issue and the Croatian head coach has no other concerns.
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