The Tigers have been handed some encouraging news on the return of their injured stars
Hull City will finally welcome back John Lundstram to their squad for Saturday’s crunch trip to Stoke City as the Tigers look to bounce back from successive defeats.
Lundstram has not played for City since coming off after 15 minutes of the win against his former club Sheffield United on October 4 and has missed the last eight games with a calf injury.
Having the influential midfielder back will be a major boost to boss Sergej Jakirovic, though it’s likely the former Rangers man will be named amongst the substitutes at the Bet365 Stadium.
City’s squad will also be boosted by the return of Matt Crooks, who sat out Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season late on at QPR last weekend.
Jakirovic will still be unable to call upon striker Oli McBurnie and winger Liam Millar, but it’s hoped the pair will be back in training on Monday with a view to being in the squad for next Friday night’s showdown with Middlesbrough under the MKM Stadium lights, though Cody Drameh has a problem that could see him miss the trip to the Potteries.
“Cody Drameh is questionable for this game because he felt his glute,” Jakirovic told Hull Live. “He trained today (Thursday) in the gym, but tomorrow (Friday) we will see with him. Lunny (Lundstam) and Crooksy (Crooks) are back, so they will be in the squad for this game.
“I almost forgot what quality he (Lundstram) has because he’s been out for eight weeks,” the Croatian joked. “He trained today (Thursday) normally, so it will be a boost for sure because he’s a first 11 player.
“Especially in this moment when we have a lot of games ahead of us, it will be a very big boost for us. Maybe it’s too early (to start), but he can come from the bench for sure.”
McBurnie hasn’t played since leaving the second half of the win at Middlesbrough in mid-October with a calf injury. He had planned to return at Norwich City before suffering a setback, but is back on the grass and expected to return to full training in the next few days.
“Oli’s on the grass. We are aiming next week for Middlesbrough. I hope he will be with us (on Monday in training),” the City boss continued.
“Crooks is good, he got a fifth yellow card so now he can kick again,” the City boss then said with a grin as wide as the Humber. “Maybe he had a not-so-good game against QPR, but till now he played very, very well, so I’m happy because he’s back. With Liam Millar, we are aiming for after Middlesbrough, so Wrexham or Millwall (December 14).”
Jakirovic also provided updates on playmaker Kasey Palmer and midfielder Eliot Matazo, both of whom are recovering from their respective knee injuries.
“Kasey is in therapy,” he explained. “He also runs on the pitch individually, so maybe another two or three weeks, because the prediction is eight weeks. Already, I think this is the fifth week. He passed, so it’s OK right now. Everything is by the plan.
“He’s (Matazo) in the gym. He’s working very, very hard, and we will see. I think maybe January, but we will see with his medical progress and everything.”
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