City’s squad is set to be handed a timely shot in the arm at Portman Road
Semi Ajayi hasn’t played for Hull City since the win at Millwall in mid-December(Image: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Hull City could be handed a major boost for the long trip on Tuesday night to face Ipswich Town, with Semi Ajayi closing in on a return to the fold.
Ajayi has not featured for City since damaging his hamstring in added time of Nigeria’s third-place play-off AFCON win over Egypt back in late January, leaving him sidelined for the past month since returning from Morocco.
His return to training in the past week has been handy for the Tigers, and he was close to being part of the squad for Saturday’s 1-0 win at Portsmouth, with City forced to name academy goalkeeper Archie Howard on the bench on his 19th birthday due to a lack of numbers owing to their extensive list of absentees.
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It’s understood the powerful central defender will be in the squad for the game in Suffolk, which sees fourth host fifth in a re-arranged game from Valentine’s weekend under the Portman Road lights.
Ajayi is likely to be on the bench, alongside January signing Paddy McNair, who came off the bench to help seal a fifth straight win on the road for the first time since 1966, but his comeback boosts Jakirovic’s options in the heart of the back four.
Manchester United loanee Toby Collyer could also be in the group that heads to Suffolk on Monday night, with him edging closer to a return following his own hamstring injury.
Should Collyer not be risked against the Tractor Boys, then it’s expected he will be in the squad when City host play-off rivals Millwall in Saturday’s early kick-off at the MKM Stadium.
Eliot Matazo and Mo Belloumi continue to make good progress from their respective injuries, while the club are still waiting on confirmation about Yu Hirakawa’s next steps regarding potential ankle surgery.
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