A look at the latest news from in and around the MKM Stadium
Hull City went into the international break in great spirits after Saturday’s 3-2 win over Portsmouth at the MKM Stadium lifted them into the top six.
The Tigers responded brilliantly to their 2-1 loss at Derby County last Tuesday night, which was their first defeat in seven games, and now they can reflect on a terrific start to the season.
After 15 games last term, City were well down the Championship table and their manager was on the verge of losing his job, but 12 months on, they sit fifth in the league under Sergej Jakirovic.
Here, Hull Live looks at the latest news around the MKM Stadium….
A first call-up for Ivor
Ivor Pandur has been rewarded for his part in City’s start to the season by earning a first call-up to the Croatia squad. Pandur has played for his country from Under-15 through to Under-21 and had previously been named on standby, but this is his first full call-up into Zlatko Dalic’s squad.
Croatia need just a single point from games against the Faroe Islands and Montenegro to qualify for next summer’s World Cup, with them leading Group L.
Pandur has played in all 15 of City’s games so far, and will hope to cap what has been a terrific start to the season by the Tigers with a first senior international cap.
Amir and Semi on their way
Amir Hadziahmetovic and Semi Ajayi are two more City players off on international duty. Hadziahmetovic has been in the international football wilderness for the past three years, but has made a return for World Cup qualifiers at home to Romania and away in Austria.
Bosnia are second in World Cup qualifying, two points behind Austria and three ahead of Romania and could seal automatic qualification if they win both games, and Austria drops points in their other game against Cyprus.
Ajayi, meanwhile, faces a crucial World Cup qualifying semi-final for Nigeria against Gabon on Thursday afternoon in Morocco, looking to secure a place in the final and a straight shoot-out for a place in next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Elsewhere, John Egan, Joel Ndala, Harry Vaughan and Cathal McCarthy are also away on international duty over the next few days.
Charlie’s reward
Charlie Hughes was rewarded for his fine performance against Portsmouth on Saturday with a place in the Championship’s Team of the Week.
Hughes notched an impressive score of eight out of 10 according to WhoScored, which had more touches than any other player on the pitch with 77, plus 49 accurate touches and nine clearances – one of which was a spectacular one off the line.
To cap off an impressive display, Hughes was heavily involved in the equalising goal with some neat movement and clever pass finding Lewie Coyle who crossed for Enis Destan to open his Tigers account.
The City defender then capped a successful afternoon with a perfectly weighted pass over the top of the Pompey backline to find Joe Gelhardt, who took his pass down brilliantly before scoring a delicious winner.
Tyrell bags the winner
Tyrell Sellars-Fleming continues to make an impact on loan at Scunthorpe United in the National League. The City youngster scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at home to Yeovil Town.
That winner was his fourth since returning to Glanford Park to help the Iron make it five games unbeaten and move Andy Butler’s side up to fourth in the table after 17 games. As it stands, the 20-year-old will remain at the club until the end of January.
Zambrano’s back
A year on from being handed a 16-month doping ban, which was later reduced on appeal, Oscar Zambrano made his long-awaited return to playing this weekend.
Zambrano moved to Slovenia in the summer, where he linked up with NK Maribor, a club owned by Acun Ilicali, and played 57 minutes in the 1-1 draw with NK Radomlje.
The former City midfielder remains firmly on the Tigers’ radar, and his progress will continue to be monitored by Ilicali, Jared Dublin and the club’s scouts.