City are back on the road after five successive home games in league and cup
Hull City’s Cody Drameh came back into the fold against Derby(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Sergej Jakirovic will again be forced into making a change to his side for Saturday’s early kick-off at Portsmouth, with Ryan Giles the latest to be sidelined with another injury.
Giles broke down in the second half of City’s fine 4-2 win over Derby County on Tuesday night, suffering a recurrence of the hamstring injury which he sustained at Middlesbrough just after Christmas.
The defender now faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines, which is a major blow to him and Jakirovic, given he looked back to his best against the Rams.
Cody Drameh came on for Giles early in the second half and looked sharp, with skipper Lewie Coyle switching over to the left side, and that’s what may well happen again at Fratton Park.
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Akin Famewo has deputised there following Giles’ injury, and is an option, but Matty Jacob is sidelined with a knee injury, which keeps him out for the next month or so.
Amir Hadziahmetovic has impressed in recent weeks and may well keep his place alongside the in-form Regan Slater, while Liam Millar and Kyle Joseph are expected to keep their places on the flanks with Joe Gelhardt in behind Oli McBurnie.
Elsewhere, City will welcome back Matt Crooks to the fold, and given he’s returning from a hamstring injury, Jakirovic will want to be careful over the influential playmaker, given he’s been a big miss in recent games. Semi Ajayi could feature after a month out with his latest hamstring issue.
Given City go to Ipswich Town on Tuesday night and then host Millwall before a trek to Wrexham, Jakirovic will be aware of the need to freshen things up, whilst protecting his star men.
City’s predicted XI: Pandur, Coyle (c), Hughes, Egan, Drameh, Slater, Amir, Gelhardt, Millar, Joseph, McBurnie.
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