The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has endured an injury-ravaged spell at City
James Furlong has praised the influence of Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic as he looks to continue his comeback in what has been an injury-plagued year and force his way into the first team reckoning.
Furlong has never made a Championship game for the Tigers following his arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2023.
The Irishman spent the second half of last season on loan at AFC Wimbledon, but the chance to represent the Wombles in the play-off final at Wembley in May was cruelly taken away because of injury.
After recovering from that quad issue, Furlong was struck down again earlier this season, seeing his bid to finally force his way into the first team picture halted.
Now back and playing for the Under-21s in a bid to regain his fitness, sharpness, and confidence, Furlong says the Croatian boss has been nothing other than supportive in his quest to get and stay fit.
“I think he has been top since he has come in,” the 23-year-old left-back told The Tiger. “As a man-manager and style of play, all the lads are buying into it and on a personal level, he has been really supportive.
“When I played the games, he checked in with me. He has been supportive throughout my injury, so that was nice as well, but I just want to try and get back now and try and make an impression and hopefully try and get a chance in the near future.”
What happens with Furlong in the near future remains unclear, with City potentially looking at loaning him out to play regular games, though his desire to break into the first team picture and challenge Ryan Giles remains as strong as ever.
“I think at the moment, it is just about getting a full 90 minutes or two or three under my belt and then go from there,” he explained. “I am dying to break into the team here, and I have wanted to do that for so long, so hopefully I can stay fit and potentially impress every time I go on the pitch. I will keep giving my best every day and hopefully a chance will come about. If it does, I will be definitely ready to take it.”
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