The Tigers return home for their final home outing in January
Liam Millar, David Akintola, Akin Famewo and Oli McBurnie celebrate at Deepdale (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic will find himself in the rather luxiourious position of having options at his disposal when the Tigers host resurgent Swansea City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
Jakirovic will welcome back Kyle Joseph to the squad after he missed the impressive win at Preston North End on Tuesday with an ankle problem, and the City chief could also have Kieran Dowell in his ranks.
Dowell’s permanent move from Rangers is expected to be completed before the game with the 28-year-old going straight into the squad for the visit of the Swans.
City‘s numbers were boosted again at Deepdale with the arrival of Yu Hirakawa on loan from Bristol City, and he made an instant impression off the bench crossing for Oli McBurnie’s strike to put the seal on an emphatic victory.
Joe Gelhardt made his return after six weeks out with a calf problem, and picked up where he left off, so the Croatian is not short of options as he looks to inspire a third straight league victory.
John Lundstram is pushing for a return to the starting XI after two cameo appearances off the bench, and Joseph will be keen to get his place back after scoring in the win at Southampton last week, though David Akintola impressed at PNE with a wonderful assist for Liam Millar’s goal.
Despite having a host of players still sidelined through injury with that total currently standing at nine, Jakirovic will arrive at the MKM Stadium with plenty of options especually in attacking areas.
“Of course (we have more options), especially now when after every game we are losing one or two players for four, five or six weeks,” he said ahead of the clash with Vitor Matos’ side. “Now we have a wider roster and they are good players It’s not just about that we have bodies. They are good, so they can help us.”
City’s predicted starting XI: Pandur, Famewo, Hughes, Egan, Coyle, Amir, Slater, Crooks, Millar, Hirakawa, McBurnie.
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