The Tigers are looking to end a run of two straight away defeats
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic faces a difficult selection decision as he prepares his team for Saturday’s trip to Stoke City in a bid to end his side’s two-game losing run. Matt Crooks is available again after suspension, having missed Tuesday’s defeat to Ipswich Town, while John Lundstram is back in the squad after an eight-game absence. It’s expected Lundstram will at least start on the bench for the Tigers, with his last appearance coming against former side Sheffield United, before leaving after 15 minutes with the calf injury which has kept him sidelined since. Crooks could come straight back into the side, but Darko Gyabi impressed in midweek after coming in to replace the experienced former Middlesbrough man, and that leaves Jakirovic with a tricky decision. Cody Drameh is the only doubt with a slight issue affecting his glute.
The City boss could also be tempted to hand a first start to Mohamed Belloumi, after he was given a good half-hour runout on Tuesday night in his continued recovery from a hamstring problem, after recovering from ACL surgery. Oli McBurnie continues his recovery from his calf problem, but the trip to the Potteries will come too soon, with it expected that he’ll be on the bench when Boro visit next Friday night in another game in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Jakirovic is expected to keep faith with Semi Ajayi in the centre of the back four, with the Nigerian set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations next month. City’s predicted XI: Pandur, Giles, Hughes, Ajayi, Coyle, Slater, Amir, Crooks, Gelhardt, Destan, Joseph. Pick your starting XI using the slider below…